Evaluating the meeting with PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan, Öcalan's messages and the situation in North and East Syria, Kurdyar Direhî, a member of the Rojava Centre for Strategic Research (NLSR), stated that Turkey and the Syrian National Army (SNA) affiliated to it continue to attack the Autonomous Administration. Direhî stated that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which took over the government in Syria, received direct support from Turkey and added that the US, Israel and the UK took part in the attack of HTS that resulted in the overthrow of the Damascus administration. 

 

Noting that Turkey is opportunistic and trying to create the perception that it has a great influence in Damascus, Direhî said, "Yes, HTS is dependent on Turkey, but the influence of other nation states here should not be forgotten." 

 

Stating that the future of the HTS government is not very clear, Direhî said, "It seems that other nation-states will determine the future status of HTS. Syria is a multi-national, multi-faith country. A Suni-Islamic government like the one they want will not be suitable there. After the fall of Damascus, two main forces have emerged, one is SDF and the other is HTS. In addition to them, there are paramilitary groups called SNA. Turkey wanted to liquidate the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria through these groups and occupy these areas, but it failed. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) responded to them in a way they did not expect. But Turkey does not give up. It continues its attacks. It wanted to occupy Kobanê and then the Autonomous Administration with a plan similar to what it did in Serekanî in 2019. However, SDF is neither the old SDF nor Trump is the old Trump. A federal future awaits Syria."

 

'TURKEY'S KURDISH POLICY HAS REACHED A DEAD END'

 

Referring to the talks with PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan in İmralı, Direhî emphasised that Abdullah Öcalan had made determinations about the possible process years ago and that these determinations were once again proved correct during the process. Stating that the isolation against Abdullah Öcalan is deepened gradually after the liberation of Kobanê, Direhî said: "Turkey deepened the Kurdish issue with war policies by aggravating the isolation on the one hand and widening the war with the PKK on the other. This policy of Turkey, which tried to resolve the Kurdish issue, eventually came to a dead end. Turkey failed to liquidate the Kurdish Freedom Movement against all these attacks. It realised that the acceptance of the Kurds as a power in the Middle East and the changing atmosphere would also affect Turkey.

 

"Peoples' Leader Mr Abdullah Öcalan reiterated his call for peace today as he did yesterday and stated that the problem in the Middle East will be solved by a Turkish-Kurdish alliance," Direhî said, adding that this was not the first time Abdullah Öcalan had made these observations and that if Turkey did not approach this problem sincerely, it would end itself. Direhî noted that as a result of the struggle and gains, two meetings were held in İmralı and stated that Abdullah Öcalan should ensure that Turkey solves the Kurdish issue in order to survive in the last meeting and pointed out that these discourses have been going on since the Turgut Özal period.

 

'HIS WORDS HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE WHOLE MIDDLE EAST'

 

Stating that Abdullah Öcalan's words will have a great impact not only in the 4 parts of Kurdistan but also in the Middle East, Direhî said: "What Mr Abdullah Öcalan has to say is very valuable and important for us and has a great impact. As Mr Abdullah Öcalan said, the establishment of a confederal system would be the most correct one. This will be the most acceptable system in the Middle East. The system emphasised by the Autonomous Administration is now considered to be the most suitable for other Middle Eastern states."

 

Stating that Abdullah Öcalan is the most influential person for the Middle East politics despite being kept under isolation for years, Direhi said: "As Mr Abdullah Öcalan said, the Kurdish issue is one of the primary problems of the Middle East. Solving this issue will also solve the crises in the Middle East. If Mr Abdullah Öcalan is free, it will be one of the most important steps for the solution of this issue. Mr Abdullah Öcalan envisages the establishment of autonomous governments, their connection to a federal structure and then a confederal Middle East. This system is the most fundamental system that will create peace in the Middle East. The solution is simple. However, if the states refuse and insist on this system, conflicts in the Middle East will deepen and these conflicts will spread to other countries."

 

MA / Ceylan Şahinli