Following the attacks launched by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) that resulted in the overthrow of the 61-year-old Baath regime, the balance in Syria has changed. Seeking to tip the balance in its favor, Turkey was the first country to establish contact with HTS leader Ahmet al-Shara at various levels in order to expand its influence over the new administration. Ibrahim Kalın, the head of the National Intelligence Organization (MIT), met with al-Shara in Damascus on December 12 and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with al-Shara on December 22. 

 

While Turkey is trying to draw the new administration to an anti-Kurdish line, Salih Muslim, member of the Presidential Council and former Co-chair of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), evaluated Turkey's recent Syria policy, talks with Damascus and its approach towards the Kurds. 

 

Stating that Turkey's two recent visits to Damascus are part of new plans against the Kurdish people in the region, Muslim said that there is no clear information about the content of the talks. “We do not know exactly what was discussed in Turkey's talks with Damascus. However, it seems that Turkey is giving the message 'Don't sit with the Kurds, don't establish any relations with the Autonomous Administration'. Preventing Kurdish gains is at the center of all their policies.” 

 

'TURKEY WANTS TO CONTROL SYRIA'

 

Emphasizing that although Turkey says in its statements that it wants peace in Syria, these statements are far from sincere, Muslim said: “Turkey says it wants a Syria free of terrorism. However, their definition of 'terrorists' includes the Kurdish people and the forces of the Autonomous Administration living peacefully in the region. They shamelessly characterize the YPG and SDF as terrorists and use this as an excuse to intervene in Syria. This is an unacceptable situation. Turkey's policies are similar to France's mandate over Syria in the past. Today, Turkey wants to bring Syria under its control with all its might. But this is acceptable neither for the peoples nor for the future of Syria.” 

 

'SDF AND YPG FORMED TO DEFEND THEIR PEOPLE'

 

Reminding the reasons for the emergence of YPG, SDF and YPJ, he emphasized that Kurds formed these forces for the sole purpose of defending themselves. “SDF, YPG and YPJ emerged after 2011 as a result of the attacks against our people and our gains. If we want to lay down arms today, it is only possible if the threats are removed. If the attacks against our people stop and assurances are given, there will be no need for weapons. But right now we are still under threat and therefore we cannot give up our defense. Not only the security of the Kurdish people, but also the threat to the Arab, Assyrian, Turkmen and all other peoples living in the region must be removed. As long as our gains are targeted, it is our natural right to defend ourselves.” 

 

'NO DIRECT CLASHES WITH HTS'

 

Stating that there has been no direct conflict between HTS and the Kurds so far, Muslim said: “The messages from them were that they would not attack the Kurds and they have kept their promise until now. The groups backed by Turkey, on the other hand, are constantly attacking us. HTS's recent statements were that all armed forces in Syria should join Syria. We do not completely reject this view. We also do not want Syria to be divided. But this is only possible if the threats against our people are removed. Colani is against the presence of Turkish-led groups in Syria and wants to disband them. We can reach an agreement with Colani if Turkey withdraws its hands from Syria and stops its efforts to create separatism there.” 

 

'TALKS WITH THE UNITY OF THE KURDS AND ENKS'

 

Pointing to the ongoing talks with the ENKS, Müslim said that despite Turkey's policies to prevent Kurdish unity, they want to achieve positive results. Muslim said the following: “We have always been in favor of unity in order for the Kurds to achieve their goals and fulfill their demands. We are currently in talks with the ENKS, which acts with Turkey and does not comply with us. They met with the coalition and Mr. Mazlum Abdi and expressed their demands. We plan to hold talks with other Kurdish parties in the coming period. We aim to go to Damascus as one voice representing all peoples. We want to solve the problems with the new Syrian administration. We are part of Syria and we want to be involved in the solution process. We can make laws together and put everything on a formal basis. Solving the problems through dialog is the healthiest way for all of us.”

 

MA / Delal Akyüz