Nuray Babacan: Syria Alarm in Ankara

Nefes Daily journalist and commentator Nuray Babacan claims the recent gathering of Kurdish political organizations and their decleration was found “unacceptable” in Turkey.  Developments in Syria, such as the ongoing riots against al Sharaa government and allegations of atrocities against Alevite minority complicates Turkey’s relations with Damascus and the fragile Kurdish Peace Process at home..

Nuray Babacna wrote

The final declaration of the Kurdish National Conference, which was expected to determine the fate of the “Resolution Process” (Kurdish Peace Process), clarify the PKK’s disbandment process, has caused disappointment in Ankara. Expressions implying federation and an autonomous region in North-East Syria caused shockwaves. Ankara sources are commenting, “We interpret this as them (Kurds) wanting to continue the war.”

DIFFERENT EXPECTATIONS

Just a few days prior, the evaluations regarding the meaning and importance of the meeting held in Qamishli were quite interesting. The fact that this meeting was hosted by Iraqi Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani was considered significant.

Assessments were being made that Turkey was aware of the entire preparation process, including the DEM representatives and all participants, and that the process was part of the PKK’s disbandment.

Turkish intelligence had shared that beyond this, several sub-congresses had taken place during the PKK’s disbandment and weapons handover process, and this was one of the last public meetings.

AUTONOMY CRISIS

It is understood that there were going to be no with the general evaluations in the meeting’s final declaration regarding Syria’s future, the establishment of a democratic infrastructure, and the protection of the rights of all minorities, as per the al Shara government and the representatives of Syrian.

However, the demand for a decentralized administrative structure for the Northeastern region of Syria was interpreted as clearly implying a federal structure or an autonomous region, and this is where the breaking point occurred.

Ankara considers the statement by the Syrian administration, referring to these expressions in the declaration, to be significant: “Syria’s territorial and popular integrity is a red line for us, and any violation or deviation from this will be considered an attack on Syria’s unified identity.”

ANKARA TO HARDEN ITS STANCE

Staff closely monitoring this process commented on what this expression means for Turkey: “It is unacceptable for Turkey. No one would accept a fait accompli without the consent of the Syrian people. Turkey interprets this approach as, ‘they want to continue the war’…”

Ankara’s stance is: “The government’s position is clear. A separate structure in Syria is unacceptable and will be fought against. The Syrian administration will also not compromise on the unitary structure. What happens after this is up to them…”

There are also those who evaluate this stance as a maneuver to “initiate demands from a high level to emerge profitably in the end.” They interpret this as the “demand maximalism of the organizations.”

EYES ON ÖCALAN

Naturally, all these developments will first and foremost affect the potential congress of the PKK, which is said to announce its decision to disband, initially expected in the first half of April, then the second half, and now at the beginning of May. What PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan will say is particularly important.

Because some of the evaluations in Ankara suggest that certain factions within the PKK are provoking the process, and that this is being used by some countries. Despite the US not playing an influential role in the equation, the factors of Israel, England, and Iran are openly being discussed. Comments like, “They are seeking to create proxies in the region,” are being made.

THOSE SAYING LET’S GIVE IT TIME

Some AKP members, who stated from the beginning that the process would be painful, say that it is necessary to allow some time and observe the developments. They suggest that the initial plan is still in effect and that this course will be returned to over time.

One thing is clear: Ankara’s plan has gone awry. Both the scenarios related to the “Resolution Process” and the rapid expectations regarding the PKK’s disbandment seem to have hit a snag. To be continued…