Kurdish groups in Syria are seeking a unified representation for negotiations in Damascus despite internal divisions. The SDF and ENKS recently met to discuss collaboration, emphasizing the need to resolve internal issues before presenting a united front to new authorities. Tensions with Turkey and the control of HTS complicate the Kurdish political landscape as they advocate for federalism while facing skepticism from emerging Islamist authorities.
Despite enduring internal divisions, Kurdish political representatives assert that Syrian Kurdish factions are striving for a cohesive delegation that adequately represents their interests during upcoming negotiations with the new authorities in Damascus. Since 2012, northeast Syria has been administered by forces linked to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which have been pivotal U.S. partners in combating the Islamic State. The Democratic Union Party (PYD), which governs this region, is the military backbone of the SDF.
Turkey perceives these Kurdish groups as extensions of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), classified as a terrorist entity by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union. As a significant regional player in the post-Assad landscape, Turkey has vowed to eliminate these groups unless they comply with disarmament demands.
The Kurdish National Council (ENKS) stands as another coalition of Kurdish parties opposed to the PYD’s prevailing authority in the region. The ENKS maintains affiliations with Turkey and the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iraqi Kurdistan. Recently, officials from both ENKS and SDF convened, with participation from representatives of the U.S.-led anti-IS coalition, to foster a collaborative Kurdish stance regarding Syria’s future governance.
During a transparent dialogue, ENKS President Sulaiman Oso articulated the need for resolution of internal issues, specifically citing the harassment faced by their members. He underscored that achieving a unified delegation to engage with Damascus is contingent upon addressing these internal grievances.
Despite the absence of official comments from the U.S., U.K., and France about their involvement, there is a reiterated emphasis from their officials on upholding the rights of Syria’s ethnic minorities post-Assad.
Saleh Muslim, a senior official from the PYD, recognized the necessity of forming a united Kurdish delegation that amplifies the voices of Arabs and Christians within the northeastern region. Current discussions, however, remain preliminary and have not yet yielded concrete outcomes.
Interestingly, ENKS delegates in Damascus are purportedly engaging with community leaders rather than negotiating with the new authorities, which are heavily influenced by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group classified as a terrorist organization by the U.S. Observers express concerns that the lack of progress in unifying Kurdish representation could jeopardize their standing in future negotiations, particularly amid fears that emerging Islamist authorities might disregard Kurdish aspirations.
While HTS leadership has pledged to ensure the protection of Kurdish rights, they recently dismissed the idea of federalism, claiming it to be a destabilizing force in Syria. Kurdish factions advocating for a federal approach must clearly delineate their objectives to establish a significant presence in the evolving political landscape of Syria. Observers emphasize the urgent need to incorporate experts and influential figures into any delegation aiming for effective negotiations with Damascus, with support from global allies being paramount to this endeavor.
The topic centers around the political dynamics among Kurdish groups in Syria, particularly in the context of post-Assad governance. Following the ousting of the Assad regime, various Kurdish factions, predominantly the PYD and ENKS, face the challenge of unifying their positions and representation in negotiations with new authorities. This is complicated by external pressures from Turkey, which views these Kurdish groups as extensions of the PKK, and internal conflicts regarding governance and representation. The necessity for a cohesive Kurdish political strategy is underscored in the backdrop of U.S. interests in ensuring the protection of ethnic minorities in Syria.
In conclusion, the pursuit of a unified Kurdish representation in post-Assad Syria remains a critical yet contentious issue, marked by significant divisions within Kurdish factions and external geopolitics. The ENKS and SDF’s recent engagement signifies a potential turning point in establishing a collaborative Kurdish front, but unresolved internal conflicts pose significant risks to their objectives. The broader implications of this struggle for representation could impact Kurdish rights and governance in the evolving political landscape of Syria.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
