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The Kurdish Struggle is Central to Syria’s Future

“Following the fall of the Assad regime, Turkey has become the most important regional actor in the country. By providing support for Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Ankara’s been consolidating its power over Syria. Turkey’s main objective, other than carrying out forced returns of Syrian refugees and benefiting from future economic opportunities during the reconstruction phase, is to deny Kurdish aspirations for autonomy, and more specifically undermine the AANES [the Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration of the North East of Syria]. This would set a precedent for Kurdish self-determination in Turkey…

While HTS hasn’t participated in any military confrontations against the SDF in recent weeks, the organisation hasn’t vocalised opposition to the Turkey-led attacks, quite the opposite…

In the past, HTS repeatedly supported Turkish offensives against the SDF.

It is unlikely that HTS is willing to support the demands of the SDF and AANES, particularly concerning Kurdish national rights. After all, the northeastern regions are rich in natural resources, particularly oil and agriculture, and so are strategically and symbolically important.

Progressive and democratic forces must wage a struggle against Arab chauvinism to forge solidarity between these populations.”

A few actors are hostile to Kurdish national rights


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