Turkey under Erdoğan’s leadership plunged Syria into a bloody civil war. When the popular protests began, there was no armed force or opposition in Syria. Turkey was the main instigator of this process and opened its borders to mercenaries such as ISIS. Turkey has played a destructive role at every stage of the bloody civil war. Now, just as it did at the beginning, it is once again playing a negative role. The Baath regime has been overthrown, and the Syrian people could have made a new and beautiful start. However, Turkey has invested all its resources in HTS (Hayat Tahrir al-Sham) and sought to make it dominant. On the other hand, it has advanced on the Kurdish autonomous regions, launching military and psychological campaigns.
HTS attacked Alawite regions under the name of Baath remnants. Massacres took place. Now, attacks and massacres are being carried out against the Druze. Despite the violation of all rules of war and crimes against humanity, Turkey has unconditionally supported HTS. They have not even condemned the crimes committed against civilians. The media under Erdoğan’s control have taken sides against the Druze.
Turkey imposed a unitary, monist, and rigid centralist regime in Syria to prevent the Kurds from gaining any status. To such an extent that the Turkish National Security Council (MGK) took decisions on these issues at its meetings. It has regarded its involvement in the political developments of another country as its right, even to the extent of meddling in its internal affairs. At the core of all this lies anti-Kurdish sentiment. Kurds have been constantly threatened, and anti-Kurdish alliances have been formed with groups like HTS.
Turkey is working to establish so-called Kurdish-Turkish unity and brotherhood within its borders. Talks are underway with Imrali [Prison Island where Abdullah Öcalan is held]. Leader Apo [Abdullah Öcalan] has shown extraordinary flexibility and determination to end the war and open democratic channels. The PKK has ended its existence and decided to bring the armed struggle to an end. Nevertheless, the government has not taken any serious steps and it continues its anti-Kurdish alliances and efforts in Syria. The initiatives in Syria are increasing concerns and worries regarding the resolution of the Kurdish issue. The Kurdish people have gained consciousness and are aware of what is happening, and are questioning it.
If they are going to acknowledge the Kurds in Turkey and renounce hostility, why are they so focused on the destruction and elimination of the Kurds in Syria? Why are they supporting forces such as HTS, an extension of Al-Qaeda? Why do they prefer HTS to the Kurds and the autonomous administration they have established? Is HTS closer to Turkey than the Kurds? These are the questions the Kurdish people are asking.
Turkey is involved in all kinds of conspiracies and games with HTS in an attempt to leave the Kurds without status. It continues to organize and incite Arab-populated areas such as Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa in particular to break away from autonomous administration. They used Bedouin tribes as a pretext to oppress the Druze and launch military operations. They claim there is a conflict between these tribes and the Druze, and that government forces are intervening. However, it is clear that this was a premeditated plan. The government forces did not go to stop the conflict. That was not their intention. They went and attacked the Druze, burning and destroying Suweida. They left hundreds dead in their wake, spreading terror. Had Israel not intervened, this massacre would have resulted in ethnic cleansing.
The Turkish government wanted to make HTS dominant in Syria despite the fact that HTS did not have a strong base in Syria. Nor did it have a mindset or program that would encompass the peoples of Syria. If the forces of North and East Syria, the Druze, the Alawites, and secular and democratic circles had participated in the interim government, there would not have been such polarization and massacres. Instead of establishing a balanced government, everything was handed over to HTS. Turkey supported HTS in particular and imposed its policies on Syria. The result was massacres, destruction, and new waves of displacement!
The UK played the most negative role alongside Turkey. The UK persistently imposed Al-Sharaa on the Syrian peoples. It worked to get the US and Europe involved as well. Despite these massacres, the UK has not changed its stance against HTS. Now, at least institutions such as the US State Department are saying that “HTS must be held accountable for these massacres.” The US Congress has begun to take action, albeit partially. Some are starting to say that things cannot continue this way with HTS. However, the UK remains steadfast in its support for HTS.
The organized and democratic force with experience in Syria is the Autonomous Administration. The SDF [Syrian Democratic Forces] is the trained and disciplined military force that has fought against ISIS. The US and the UK, and especially Turkey, are working to eliminate these forces and hand them over to HTS. There is no army in Syria. The so-called army is ISIS and Al-Qaeda-affiliated groups that have committed massacres against Alawites and Druze. They want to hand over a force like the SDF to these groups.
The administration of North and East Syria has over a decade of experience. It has embraced all religions, beliefs, peoples, and cultures. It has succeeded in keeping them together in peace. It has established a democratic administration. They want to dismantle this inclusive and solution-oriented structure and place it under the command of HTS. This is what Barrack meant when he said, “one army, one government, one state.”
A Syria surrendered to HTS, or a democratic and inclusive Syria? The choice must be made accordingly.
Source: ANF News
