PYD Presidential Council member Salih MuslimSalih Muslim said: We are part of Syria and want to be included in the solution. Solving problems through dialogue is the healthiest way for all of us.
Following the attacks launched by Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and resulting in the overthrow of the 61-year-old Baath regime, the balance in Syria has changed. Turkey, which is trying to turn the balance in its favor, has become the first country to establish contact with HTS leader Ahmed al-Shara at various levels in order to expand its influence through the new administration that will be formed in Turkey. Al shara met with the Director of the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) İbrahim Kalın on December 12 and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on December 22 in Damascus.

Democratic Union Party (PYD) Presidential Council Member and former co-chair Salih Muslim spoke to MA News Agency about Turkey's recent Syria policy, meetings with Damascus and approach to the Kurds.

Salih Muslim, Turkey's two recent visits to Damascus were part of new plans for the Kurdish people in the region, stated that there was no clear information about the content of the talks. Muslim said, We do not know exactly what was discussed in the talks Turkey held with Damascus. However, it seems that Turkey is giving the message, 'Don't come to the table with the Kurds, don't establish any relations with the Autonomous Administration.' At the center of all their policies is to prevent the Kurds acquisitions.

Turkey wants to control Syria

Turkey says it wants peace in Syria, but, Muslim said, these statements are not honest. Turkey says it wants a Syria cleansed of terrorism. However, their definition of ‘terrorist’ includes the Kurdish people and the people in the Autonomous Administration who are living peacefully in the region. They shamelessly describe the YPG and SDF as terrorists and use this as an excuse to intervene in Syria. This is unacceptable. Turkey’s stance resembles France’s mandate over Syria in the past.

Today, Turkey wants to take Syria under its own control with all its might. However, this is unacceptable for neither the people nor the future of Syria.

'SDF was formed to defend the people'

Muslim said: The SDF, YPG, and YPJ emerged after 2011 as a result of attacks on our people and our achievements. We organized to defend ourselves on our own lands. If they were to lay down their weapons, this would only be possible if the threats are eliminated. If the attacks on our people stop and assurance is given, there will be no need for weapons.

However, we are still under threat at the moment, and for this reason, we cannot give up our defense. The threat to not only the security of the Kurdish people, but also to the Arabs, Syriacs, Turkmens, and all other people living in the region must be eliminated. As long as our achievements are targeted, these forces represent our natural right to defend ourselves.

'No direct conflict with HTS'

Salih Muslim said that there has been no direct conflict between HTS and the Kurds to date, and added: “The messages we received were that they would not attack the Kurds, and they have kept their word so far. Groups under Turkish control are constantly attacking us. HTS's recent statements were that all armed forces in Syria should be connected to Syria. We do not completely reject this. We also do not want Syria to be separated. However, this is possible if the threats against our people are removed. Colani is also against the existence of groups under Turkish control and wants to break them up. If Turkey withdraws its hand from Syria and ends its efforts to create separation there, we can reach an agreement with al-Jolani.

The importance of unity among Kurds

Muslim pointed out that they have ongoing talks with the ENKS (Kurdish National Council in Syria), and said that despite Turkey’s policies to prevent the unity of the Kurds, they want to achieve positive results. Muslim added: We have always been in favor of unity so that the Kurds can achieve their goals and their demands are met.

Our talks with the ENKS are ongoing, despite their links with Turkey. They came together with the coalition and Mr. Mazlum Abdi and expressed their demands. We plan to hold talks with other Kurdish parties in the future. We aim to go to Damascus, representing all the peoples. We want to solve the problems with the new Syrian administration. We are also a part of Syria and want to be included in the solution process. We can put everything on an official basis by enacting laws together. Resolving problems through dialogue is the healthiest way for all of us.[1]