The 61-year Baath regime in Syria came to an end with the capture of Damascus by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) on 8 December. Parallel to the takeover of Damascus by HTS, Turkey and the SNA, which is guided by HTS, continue their attacks on North and East Syria. The resistance of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) against the attacks continues. Journalist Doğan Cihan, who closely follows the clashes and political atmosphere in the region, evaluated the latest developments. 

 

Stating that the process of changing the dictatorial regime in Syria did not happen all at once, Cihan stated that Colani signalled the process he would start in April of this year with his statements "We will celebrate Eid in Aleppo". Noting that HTS's attempt to attack Aleppo in October was kept waiting by Turkey, "Sources in the field have also learnt that NATO, especially through Turkey, brought military advisors from Ukraine and provided drone training to HTS for air strikes. In today's conditions, Syria in particular and the Middle East in general are in an important position in terms of the balance of power in the world," he said.

 

SYRIA

 

Stating that Syria has become the field of sovereign powers, Cihan said: "First of all, Israel wants to destroy and liquidate anything that could pose a threat to it around its borders. After Palestine and Lebanon, Syria is next. HTS and SNA are acting in Syria under the leadership of Turkey and with the guidance of NATO and its main forces. HTS and SNA, supported by Turkey, are clearing a road in Syria. This clearing means the preservation of the borders of the current Israel forever. While this is being done, HTS and SNA want to design the region. The main goal of this design is to provide these groups with a legitimate basis." Statting that both HTS and SNA are composed of different groups, Cihan underlined that these groups harbour ISIS elements.

 

NEW GOVERNMENT AND THE KURDS

 

Pointing out that what will happen with the steps HTS will take in the following process will be decisive, Cihan stated that there has been no tension between the Autonomous Administration and HTS so far.

 

"As you know, SDF is a self-defence force. It does not attack anyone unless it is attacked. So far, it has been protecting its own territories and there has been no tension with HTS. They want to see and understand the practices of the government to be established in Damascus. HTS and SDF had the following contact. In Deir Ez-zor, the Deir Ez-zor Military Council of the SDF had moved west of the Euphrates to the city centre of Deir Ez-zor and the Iraq-Syria border crossing at Abu Kemal in order to prevent ISIS from gaining strength in the vacuum created by the Baath regime. This was a necessity. It was not for the purpose of becoming permanent in the region. A government was declared in Damascus. After HTS arrived in the region, the forces of the Dêrazor Military Council withdrew to their borders before 27 November, leaving the region to HTS. This was perhaps the first contact we know of. There were statements by Colani. We can say that both the Autonomous Administration and the SDF Command want to look at the process positively," said Cihan.

 

ISRAEL

 

Cihan reminded that on the other hand, Israel, which wants to be dominant in the equation, is expanding its territory in Syria and continuously carrying out attacks against the weapons of the former regime. Stating that Israel avoids having relations with Sunni groups, Cihan pointed out that Israel has its own unique agenda and that the US will comply with this agenda even though it adopts an ambivalent attitude.

 

TURKEY

 

Cihan reminded PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan's words, "The war in Syria is a war between Iran and Turkey" and stated that Turkey's basic strategy in Syria is the borders of Misak-ı Milli (National Pact). Cihan said: "Turkey wants to occupy wherever it can in the current vacuum and to have as much say in Damascus as it can. The most important and main goal is to liquidate the Autonomous Administration. It has put the demographic change of the region in front of it. This is a genocide plan. Turkey wants a government in Damascus and Syria as a whole that will do what it wants. Erdoğan wants to establish a parallel government and state structure in Damascus and acts accordingly."

 

WHAT WILL BE THE FATE OF THE AUTONOMOUS ADMINISTRATION?

 

Evaluating the situation and attitude of the SDF forces and the Autonomous Administration, which are the most critical part of the equation, Cihan continued as follows: "First of all, the self-defence forces are always in good spirits. While Turkey is attacking from the air, gangs are attacking from the ground. All of the resisters state that they will protect their lands. The front in the southeast of Manbij has been under attack for days, the fighters are in a defence line position and not even one gang has been able to cross. Turkey has been organising air strikes. It has not yielded any results either. The Autonomous Administration is carrying out its political, military and diplomatic activities at an extraordinary level in order to protect the security of life and property. It has declared that it will respond to all attacks and will not attack anyone who does not attack its borders. It is signalling that it will be a political party in the political will emerging in Syria. I can state that the position of Northern Kurdistan will once again be decisive in terms of this developing process. The North is the largest part of Kurdistan and the part with the strongest political will. Even a small voice that will be raised from within against Turkey's attacks will affect the situation of the front here to a very significant extent. We know dozens of examples of this in the past. Turkey will carry out its attacks on Rojava in parallel with the reaction of the North. A small voice will play a big role in the elimination of the attacks. We also know that our people in the North are aware of this. It needs to be put into practice. The time may be late. Turkey is preparing to make a big attack and genocide."

 

MA / Ceylan Şahinli