Interests Prevail: Is the "SDF" Issue Syrian or Turkish?

 

Damascus insists that resolving Turkey's fabricated issues falls on Ankara, based on a fixed principle: Syria in Syria and Turkey in Turkey.

By Ali Fedda

In Syrian affairs, attention is focused on the earnest efforts to normalize Syrian-Turkish relations. This topic is of great importance due to the geopolitical changes that would benefit both countries and their surroundings, despite the complexities of this issue, which the Russians are diligently working on. Additionally, there are other regional roles that have helped facilitate the restoration of relations between the two countries.

Intersection of Interests

When discussing a fixed political principle like the "intersection of interests," especially since the target of this description is countries with a long political history, we move from the foundations to the realm of governance. This involves defining terms with foundational implications, which have themselves been trivialized (the talk-show politics have become a defining characteristic of politicians and politically inclined individuals). However, this is not how political affairs are managed, nor is it how politically established states evaluate their interests, which requires precise determination of how to harmonize with changes without compromising the principles that form the identity of political states and thus their interests.

Generally, according to the changes, there is an increasing need to restore Syrian-Turkish relations as an interest for both parties, but without compromising sovereign interests and without ignoring the reasons. In this case, details are very important because their implications might harm the interests of other countries, primarily the United States.

The Russian Role... Why?

In brief, the Russian role aims at two main objectives:

- Firstly: Restoring stability to the region through significant Russian influence and role, in addition to the resulting regional implications, since the discussion here involves two pivotal countries in the region, all within the Russian sphere. What Russia benefits from in this context specifically harms the U.S.

- Secondly: Undermining U.S. interests in the region, which has seen countries compete with each other to justify its presence, fueled by discord and exploiting contradictions. In this aspect, Russia dismantles contradictions and repairs discord.

Here, Russian interests intersected, justifying its efforts to restore Syrian-Turkish relations, aligning with the interests of both countries, each according to its own interest, which could potentially lead to an agreement that helps both countries.

Northeast Syria

The introduction above serves to explain how policies are reshaped and opportunities for intersecting interests are seized, away from the confusion caused by theorists and politically inclined individuals outside the framework of scientific principles, who always serve American interests.

If we look at what is happening in northern Syria as Turkish measures, we see they are moving forward towards Syria, especially concerning Idlib and up to the border with it. These measures indicate that Ankara is inclined to resolve pending issues with Damascus, leaving the crucial issue of dealing with the presence of the "Syrian Democratic Forces" (SDF).

The Kurdish component in Syria is not entirely separatist. Among the Kurds are oppositionists, patriots, and Syrians. Therefore, it is wrong to summarize the Kurds as the SDF, which is an extension of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). It is in contact with Damascus, sometimes coordinating with it, and has received support from it throughout the crisis years. Even the Russians have channels of communication with it. However, the SDF’s constant problem is aligning with the U.S., and its influence increased with the presence of American forces in northeastern Syria. Wherever there is separatist tendency, you will find America.

The SDF's situation is not ideal. American forces are not exclusively present for Syria. Few know that these forces are part of the contracted forces with the Iraqi government, to protect the Green Zone, the airport, and other places according to the U.S.-Iraq agreement. This means that U.S. forces in Syria do not even have a separate budget!

They receive their pay from the Iraqi government, which shows the American seriousness about their presence in Syria! It is also worth noting that more than eighty percent of the SDF's military personnel are Arabs, driven by dollars, indicating a functional role rather than an ideological affiliation with the PKK's project. Additionally, geography and terrain play a significant role, as the SDF does not have the Qandil Mountains like in Turkey. They face open spaces unlike the PKK's presence in the mountains of Turkey.

Today, the SDF faces numerous problems, especially amidst the Syrian-Turkish rapprochement. It has issues with Arab tribes and with Syria due to rebellion and increasing desire for "self-rule" and reliance on the U.S. It also has a fundamental historical problem with both "SDF" and Turkey, considering it as the arch-enemy of Ankara, while the PKK sees its core issue as Turkish.

Approaches and Priorities

From the Syrian side, regarding Syrian-Turkish rapprochement, Syria sees the priority as the north, to solve the crisis of the presence of al-Nusra and its affiliates and similar factions with a Takfiri origin or Turkish inclination, supported by Turkey. This cannot be achieved as it should without rapprochement, given Turkey's role and Syria's task to clean up that vital area.

For Turkey, the most important issue is the Kurdish file, approached from a national security perspective, while Syria considers it a sovereign Syrian issue related to a component of the Syrian social fabric.

Once the situation in the north is resolved, progress on the Kurdish issue will be easier, and Damascus can resolve its complexities. Generally, Damascus rejects the Turkish solution and handles the issue by maintaining its forces in Syria, essentially demanding withdrawal from the Syrian side. If the SDF does not accept the changes and submits to a political solution, Damascus will resolve it as necessary, considering them separatists against the state.

In conclusion, Damascus insists that resolving Turkey's fabricated issues falls on Ankara, based on a fixed principle: Syria in Syria and Turkey in Turkey.