Alwaght-Turkish forces have continued to advance in northern Syria despite protests by Damascus while Kurdish forces have succeeded in defeating ISIS Takfiri terrorists in some parts of Aleppo.
Turkish forces invaded Syria earlier in August as part of the operation ‘Euphrates Shield’, deploying ground troops and air power to northern parts of the neighboring country. Turkey claims that its forces entered Syria to combat ISIS terrorists, but observers on the ground say that Ankara aims to suppress Kurdish YPG fighters in Syria. This is while Kurdish forces have been very effective in fighting ISIS Takfiri terrorists in Syria.
In their recent battle against ISIS, Kurdish forces have liberated the villages of Hassadjek, Qawl Suruj, Wardiyah, Wasitiyah, Al-Ghoul and Shabha Reservor which were previously held by Takfiri terrorists. Following the successful anti-ISIS operations by the Kurds, Turkey launched airstrikes killed up to 200 Kurdish fighters in northern Syria.
The YPG is linked to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, which has been fighting for Kurdish autonomy in southeast Turkey since 1984 in a conflict that his killed more than 40,000 people. Turkey and its NATO allies consider PKK a terrorist group but while Ankara brands YPG a terror group, its NATO allies have rejected such a designation.
Syria Warns Turkey over Airstrikes
The Syria’s military responded to the deadly airstrikes with a statement condemning Turkey’s aggression and warning them against launching any further attacks inside Syrian airspace. In a statement, the Syrian Defense Ministry accused Turkey of “flagrant aggression, which targeted innocent citizens,” saying that it considers it “a dangerous development that could escalate the situation.”
“Any attempt to once again breach Syrian airspace by Turkish war planes will be dealt with and they will be brought down by all means available,” warned Damascus, whose planes, which have flown in concert with a Russian expeditionary force, have been avoiding direct confrontation with unauthorized NATO jets. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has also expressed concern over Turkey's airstrikes in Syria.
Kurds at Crossroads
Under the present circumstances, Kurds in Syria are at crossroads. On the one hand they are combating ISIS Takfiri terrorist group while facing a fierce onslaught from Turkish forces engaged in the operation codenamed Euphrates Shield. On the other hand, the United States which claims to be allied to the Kurds is pursuing devious and illegitimate interests in the region. Amid all this, the Kurds in Syria are also facing a new challenge of an influx of refugees from Mosul following an intensified operation by Iraqi forces to liberate the key city from ISIS over the past few days.
Sources also say some ISIS fighters try to escape and take advantage of the refugee movement to enter Rojava.
US Using Kurds as Foot Soldiers
The US has always pursued its imperialistic ambitions in the region and therefore its support for any state or non-state actors is never in the interests of the region.
Washington is now using Kurds as its foot soldiers in different spheres and whenever these foot soldiers are threatened, like during the ongoing attacks by Turkish-led forces, the US takes stances as per its expediencies.
Therefore, instead of relying on the US, Kurds need to maintain their close ties with the Syrian government especially considering the fact that Damascus has stood with them at this juncture when they are facing an onslaught from Turkish-led forces.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has also reaffirmed that Syrian reject a federal system in the country including in the Kurdish areas of northern Syria, stating that Kurds in Syria prefer a central system.
In an interview conducted by Russia’s Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper
Assad said, “Most Kurds want to live in a unified Syria, under a central system, not in a federal system.”
