The civil war in Syria, which erupted in 2011 with foreign intervention, ended with the overthrow of the regime with the attack launched by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) on 26 November. During the 13-year war, the Kurds pursued the "Third Way" strategy. Kurds declared autonomy together with the peoples living in North and East Syria. 

 

While the women's libertarian, ecological and democratic paradigm gave hope to all oppressed peoples, the administration of North and East Syria became the target of Turkey and the group it supported from the beginning. When ISIS, supported by Turkey, failed against the Autonomous Administration, Turkey directly intervened and occupied the cities of Jarabulus, Bab, Ezaz, Afrin, Serêkaniyê and Girê Spî. Simultaneously with HTS's attack on Aleppo on 26 November to topple the regime, Turkey and the SNA, supported by HTS, launched attacks on the Autonomous Administration regions. Turkey and the SNA threaten to attack Kobanê, which is the beginning of the end for ISIS.

 

Beritan Sarya, who has been working as a journalist in the field in North and East Syria since 2016, made evaluations on how the current developments in Syria emerged, Kurdish efforts to democratise Syria, and Turkey's attacks on the Autonomous Administration.

 

'KURDS CHOSE THE THIRD WAY'

 

Beritan Sarya noted that PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan crossed into Syria on 2 July 1979 and continued his activities in Syria and Lebanon until the 1998 International Conspiracy, and that the Rojava revolution laid the groundwork for the Rojava revolution to a great extent before 2011, and said that the armed people in the region brought about the intervention of international powers in the region. Beritan Sarya said: "The USA, UK, Turkey and Arab countries intervened in many ways. Many organizations emerged in a short time. Syria was transformed into a field where international powers fought proxy wars. In this environment, Kurds chose the third way and declared autonomy. The peoples, who declared their self-defence, expelled the regime from almost everywhere in 2012. The Kurds insisted on the third way against the Ba'ath and other jihadist organisations defending Arab nationalism. Autonomous Administration was declared in 2014. There were many attacks by gangs and the regime of the time. There were tough struggles against the Assad regime. Within the framework of the democratic, ecological and women's libertarian paradigm, we have reached today."

 

 

Beritan Sarya reminded that there were two paths before the Baath regime, democratisation or collapse, and that the Autonomous Administration made many calls to Assad for democratisation. 

 

"However, there was no response and the Damascus government collapsed. Everyone knows the history of HTS, which replaced it today. Who is the leader of HTS, Abu Muhammad al Colani? There is a process that evolved into Al-Qaeda, Al-Nusra and HTS. HTS progressed without conflict within the framework of an international plan. Turkey was the executor of this plan, the US, Israel and the UK were behind it. They went all the way to Damascus. Even though they are making some new discourses, their past and the groups they are in contact with are known. The message is clear when Ibrahim Kalın, the head of the National Intelligence Organisation (MIT), travelled to Damascus and Colani acted as his chauffeur. It seems that HTS will pursue a policy against the Autonomous Administration like the Baath regime. It is not correct to say 'the government in Damascus has collapsed, everything is over'. On the one hand, they will hold dialogue with the Autonomous Administration, on the other hand they will try to impose their own line," she said. 

 

MANBIJ

 

Beritan Sarya noted that HTS's attack on Aleppo and Turkey's attack on the Autonomous Administration are within the same plan and said: "This is a common plan and it has international authorisation. It was foreseen that the SNA would attack the Autonomous Administration while HTS was advancing to Damascus. However, no matter how weakened they were, powers such as Russia and Iran were not expected to withdraw without any resistance. The west of the Euphrates is quite fragmented. Efrin was occupied, and the parts of Shahba and Til Rifat between Aleppo were largely held by the regime and Russian forces. They suddenly left and withdrew, leaving a big gap. The self-defence forces of Shahba and Til Rifat withdrew so that the people would not face massacre. Something similar happened in Manbij. There was betrayal in Manbij. Despite the agreements, preparations for an attack are being made. The ceasefire has been suspended, we think that negotiations are continuing. Kobanê has become a wound for Erdoğan. He wants to invade. They want to genocide the Kurds. Great massacres are being carried out in every occupied place. Tortures continue. The gangs are inside Manbij. The people are very disturbed by these gangs. We receive phone calls. Yesterday, shopkeepers did not open their shutters across the city. People are being kidnapped and massacred. The majority of Manbij is Arab. There is a great disturbance at the moment. There is a total attack on the people. Massacres are taking place not only in Manbij but also in Alawite settlements under the control of HTS."

 

'RESISTANCE OF PEOPLES'

 

Emphasising that the international community must break its silence against the massacres, Beritan Sarya said that the Baath regime is an anti-democratic and sexist regime and the SNA has a plundering and jihadist approach. Stating that Turkey wants to use the SNA to genocide the Kurds, Beritan Sarya said: "It is thought-provoking to pave the way for HTS in the Third World War and to keep silent about the SNA's attack on the Autonomous Administration. Kobanê is a symbol for Kurds. In 2014, the blood of women and young people, especially Kurds, was shed in Kobanê against ISIS attacks. Defending a free life in Kobanê meant defending Kurdistan. It is necessary to be in action at every moment."

 

Stating that there is currently an international diplomatic traffic, Beritan Sarya said that SDF General Commander Mazlum Abdi is holding talks by protecting the line of the Autonomous Administration and continued as follows: "The vital project that will contribute to the democratisation of Syria is the Autonomous Administration project. There is a Turkey factor here. Turkey wants to use this process for its neo-Ottomanist, expansionist policies. They will do their best to liquidate the Autonomous Administration and strangle the revolution. It is necessary to resist strongly against this. The current interim government is a government consisting only of HTS. This government cannot continue. There are many colours in Syria. Autonomous Administration is a reality in Syria and it has existed for 13 years. If the Autonomous Administration does not take part in the government, Syria cannot be democratised. This is not possible. Not only the Autonomous Administration, but everyone must take their place in this government. Meetings are being held within this framework. The final declaration of the meeting held in Jordan was positive, but Turkey's aggression was not recognised. A strong will is required for the attacks to end and for a solution to be found. The current international powers have their own plans. They do not care about the Syrian people and stability. What will be decisive here is the resistance of the peoples."

 

MA / Emrullah Acar