North-east Syria is at a crucial juncture following the fall of the Assad regime. The SDF, led by women’s units like the YPJ, navigates the complexities of underground tunnels to evade Turkish drone strikes. Abdullah Ocalan’s call for the PKK’s disarmament introduces hopes for reduced tensions with Turkey. However, the SDF’s alliances and autonomy remain challenged by external threats and internal dissatisfaction.
Commander Zanarin Kobani of the YPJ, part of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), highlights the complex network of tunnels beneath Kobani. Created to evade Turkish drone strikes, these tunnels hold essential facilities, including a kitchen and a monitoring hub for city defenses. The SDF has been pivotal in the fight against ISIS, shifting its focus to the emerging threat from Turkey since 2019.
Turkey perceives the Kurdish region of north-east Syria, or Rojava, as a security threat due to the PKK’s association with the YPG. Following Abdullah Ocalan’s recent call for the PKK’s dissolution, the Kurdish-run administration in Syria hopes for reduced tensions with Turkey, though SDF commander Mazloum Abdi maintains this call pertains only to PKK and not to the SDF.
Turkey’s military interventions in north-east Syria, supported by the Syrian National Army (SNA), have aimed at expanding its territorial claims, especially after the Assad regime’s fall in December. The SDF remains vigilant about preserving its autonomy, fearing for its rights against Turkish-backed factions like HTS.
Amidst ongoing regional instability, Commander Kobani expresses concern over women’s rights and envisions negotiations for peace. “We need international guarantees that Turkey will stop attacking us. People here will not accept any occupation” – The National. The SDF seeks diplomacy to prevent military confrontation, particularly as US troop withdrawal from Syria raises concerns.
SDF’s recent engagement with the new Syrian administration indicates a willingness for collaboration despite historical tensions. Kurdish authorities have recognized the new revolutionary flag and restored oil supplies to the regime. Nonetheless, potential friction exists over military integration in a new national army, with the SDF prioritizing its separate identity while negotiating I new alliances.
Both Kurdish and Arab factions witness protests amid dissatisfaction with SDF governance in Sunni-majority areas, illustrated by the defection of the Deir Ezzor Military Council. Tensions in Raqqa highlight these dynamics, where celebrations of the regime’s downfall met resistance from SDF security forces. Despite these challenges, some view Ocalan’s disarmament proposal positively, hoping for an end to hostilities.
Residents deeply desire stability and security above all. “As long as our rights and our Kurdish identity are guaranteed, we don’t care which government rules us,” stated Sobhi Hassan, displaced by Turkish offensives. The current situation remains tense, with populations displaced, schools repurposed as shelters, and the lurking threat of ISIS resurgence amidst the geopolitical turmoil in north-east Syria.
The SDF faces a precarious situation in north-east Syria, balancing autonomy against Turkish aggression and negotiating with various factions after Assad’s regime collapse. The importance of international guarantees is paramount as the threat from Turkey persists. As local dynamics evolve and Kurdish rights remain at the forefront, the region’s stability depends on successful diplomacy and military preparedness.
Original Source: www.thenationalnews.com
