While an interim government led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) was formed in Syria after the overthrow of the 61 years Baath regime on December 8, Turkey and its affiliated Syrian National Army (SNA) continue their attacks on North and East Syria. As Israel advances from the south, attacks, torture and kidnappings have started to increase in Syria's Latakia and Tartus cities, whic are predominantly populated by Alawites and Christians. As the clashes continued, Ibrahim Kalın, the head of the National Intelligence Organization (MIT), and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan traveled to Damascus and met with HTS leader Colani. It is stated that these meetings were held within the framework of Turkey's preparations for an attacks on Kobanê.

 

Haşim Zêbarî, Lecturer at the University of Zaxo and Kamuran Berwarî, Vice President of the Academy of Democracy and Politics, evaluated the developments in the region and the attacks on North and East Syria for Mezopotamya Agency (MA) 

 

'TURKEY DOES NOT WANT A DEMOCRATIC SYRIA' 

 

 

Stating that Turkey does not want a democratic Syria, academician Haşim Zêbarî said that Turkey is putting all its plans into action to prevent this. Zêbarî said, “The world knows that 90 percent of the armed groups in Syria are under the command of Turkey. Kurds and other peoples are uniting under the umbrella of the SDF and demanding their freedom and rights. Turkey does not want a status, a defacton in that region. It does not want the establishment of a national democratic confederalism in Syria, but this will be decided by Damascus, not Turkey. The interim government should meet with all military and political parties in the region and reach a consensus on how to build a confederal system.” 

 

'THE GOAL IS TO OCCUPY KOBANÊ'

 

Stating that Turkey's presence in the region should not be accepted by international powers, Zêbari said: "Preparations are being made for Kobanê and there is a dangerous situation. The goal of Turkey and its gangs is to achieve something. Turkey wants to occupy Kobanê and its surroundings in order to expel the Kurds from the east bank of the Euphrates River. It occupied Grêspi, Efrîn and now it is drawing an occupation line from Amûdê to Kobanê. The whole goal is to intervene in the democratic structure that will form in that region. Turkey does not seem to stop. However, the international community, the US and the coalition forces do not want to allow Turkey to have more say in Syria. Because Turkey's presence in Syria after the fall of the Assad regime is not acceptable.” 

 

IRAQ'S SILENCE AND THE LOOMING THREAT 

 

Drawing attention to Iraq's silence against Turkey's attacks in Syria, Zêbarî stated that this silence will damage Iraq's borders. “This threat to North and East Syria will affect all four parts. After the invasion of Syria, Turkey will want to invade Southern Kurdistan, Shengal and Maxmur. The Iraqi government is also playing a role here and it is likely that it has sent some of its forces to the region. The world system has changed. This century will be the century of freedom for people, the century of peace. The maps of countries have changed. In Iraq, it is likely that the three major Sunni Arab provinces of Nineveh, Ambar and Takrit will demand status. This means the end of the Iraqi government.  If Iraq continues to compromise its attitude towards Turkey, ISIS gangs will bring its end,” Zêbarî said. 

 

SDF'S RESISTANCE IS IMPORTANT

 

Stating that Turkey will not be able to reach its goals in the Syria plan easily, Zêbarî said: "SDF's resistance in this process will be a lesson for Turkey and other countries. It is not so easy to leave these places to them after such a heavy price. No one should make this calculation. It will not be so easy for Turkey to pass this test successfully. With the arrival of Trump, there is a possibility that the US will increase its logistical and military power in the region. This development shows that countries such as the US and France will not allow Turkey. When we look at all these developments, it is clear that the US does not want to leave the field to Turkey."

 

'TURKEY'S ONLY CONCERN IS THE KURDISH FORCES'

 

 

Academician Kamuran Berwari emphasised that Turkey is attacking with all its might to destroy the Kurdish forces in the region. Reminding that Turkey's attacks on North and East Syria are not new, Berwari said: "Turkey has been against the independence and freedom of the Syrian peoples since the day they were liberated. Because it sees the freedom of the peoples as a threat. For this reason, some armed gangs were first deployed in Syria and are now attacking with them. This is very clear; Syria will bot be able to get out of this chaos as along as the turkish state intervenes. Only if all the forces in Syria take a strong stand, the attacks will end. The establisment of a democratic autonomous system in the region, people coming together and living together is the most successful example of democracy. In 14 years, these peoples who have tasted freedom will no longer accept war and occupation."

 

Stating that there are many areas and regions to be occupied in Turkey's aims and objectives, "It will not only occupy Rojava, but will also attempt to occupy Iraq, Lebanon, the east of Africa and the Balkan countries. However, if this happens, no one will be able to control the war in the Middle East. Kobanê is a site of international politics. The liberation day of Kobanê has become a global day. If Kobanê falls, so will Istanbul and Ankara. Because the Turkish state can no longer protect its borders. It is collapsing economically, militarily, politically and diplomatically," Berwarî said. 

 

'THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TURKEY'S EXIT FROM SYRIA'

 

Referring to the possible effects of the attacks on Iraq and the Federated Kurdistan Region, Berwari continued: "The existence of a democratic Syria and the presence of democratic Syrian forces in the last 14 years made it possible to protect Iraq and Southern Kurdistan. The destruction of the gains in Rojava means that Iraq and Southern Kurdistan will be wiped off the map. The fact that the soldiers of Southern Kurdistan are today in the same position with the Turkish army is a great threat to the gains and future of the Kurdish people. Now Iraq and Southern Kurdistan must shoulder the historical process and support the democratic system established in the region. Otherwise, it will definitely be doomed to collapse. That is why we say that the government established in Syria must determine its own destiny. In my opinion, Turkey will not succeed in its Syria project. But it is a fact that the only solution in Syria is for Turkey to leave the region. Turkey is attacking by saying 'there is terrorism in the region'. MIT and Turkish officials sat at the table with the PKK in Qandil. The US and Turkey negotiated with the PKK for 10 years. If those who negotiate with the PKK are 'terrorists', then it is you who should be judged first.  Therefore, the word 'terrorist' is only an excuse. Turkey knows that a democratic Syria is a democratic Middle East, that is why it opposes and does not accept democratisation."

 

MA / Zeynep Durgut