Three federal regions will be formed in Syria

[Anthea]

Syrian Democratic Council (MSD) Co-President İlham Ehmed emphasized that nobody could question where the SDF would make its advances.

Ehmed spoke to ANF on the latest military developments in Rojava, Turkey’s attacks on Rojava, and the status of the Geneva-3 talks. We hereby publish the first part of the interview.

‘TURKEY DOES NOT WANT SOLUTION IN ROJAVA’

What is your evaluation of Turkey’s recent escalated attacks on Rojava?

This is not the first time Turkey attacks Rojava, it has been attacking for a while now. Turkey has been hostile towards Rojava since the beginning of the revolution here. Turkey does not want the formation of a political will and the solution of the problems in Rojava. For these reasons, Turkey sometimes supports gangs targeting Rojava and other times shells Rojava itself. Turkey has increased its shelling of Rojava recently for multiple reasons.

AZAZ IS NOT THE REASON FOR THE SHELLING…

Turkey has claimed that its recent attacks aim to prevent the SDF’s military operations targeting Azaz, but this is not the case.

The actual reason for Turkey’s attacks is that Turkey is out of the political equation in Syria and attempts to become a player in the region by attacking Rojava.

The majority of the opposition forces in the region are loyal to Jabhat Al-Nusra, and all of these groups have been under the protection of Turkey. These groups are proxies with no political program, which is why they ran away after recent Russian bombardments. This situation enabled the recent advances of the Syrian regime.

What is the SDF policy on this issue?

The SDF has been trying to prevent the advance of regime forces by capturing the areas evacuated by jihadis. Turkey has been upset at this SDF stance and increased its attacks on Rojava. With its attacks, Turkey is trying to tell the international community that it is influential in this region and should be taken seriously.

‘TURKEY IS LOOKING FOR AN EXCUSE TO INVADE ROJAVA’

Turkey blamed YPG for the attack the TAK carried out in Ankara, what was Turkey’s goal here?

By blaming the YPG for the attacks, Turkey wanted to portray the YPG as a terrorist organization and create the grounds for the attack it wants to carry out against Rojava. With this accusation, Turkey also wanted to stop the international support to and the military coordination with the SDF.

Turkey tried to link the attack to the YPG and argued that the attacker was from Amude, but this attempt failed. Turkish officials met with the representatives of international powers right after the attack but their claims were not bought. Turkey’s claims are false because YPG never targeted Turkey even during the attacks and bombardments targeting Kobanê. YPG is relatively more comfortable now, and does not have a strategy of attacking Turkey. YPG’S main strategy is defeating ISIS and realizing a democratic change in Syria. Turkey’s false accusations did not convince anyone.

TURKEY WANTS TO CONTROL THE AZAZ GATE

Why does Turkey attach this much importance to Azaz, or is the main thing really about Azaz?

Turkey wants to control the Azaz gate because it dispatches arms to the gangs through that border crossing. Turkey is disturbed over the closure of the road between Azaz and Aleppo because it was the area from which Turkey would spread its policy; through that border crossing and Aleppo to the entire Syrian territory. After the closure of this road, Turkey got stuck and therefore started to bring Azaz into question. Apart from this policy, Azaz means nothing to Turkey.

Yet, it must be known very well that Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) will be fighting the ISIS terror everywhere it exists. The areas where SDF have made advances so far are those held by Al-Nusra which is listed among the terrorist organisations. Nobody can question our progress in this territory. Those not acting with Al-Nusra in these areas are joining the ranks of the SDF and defending themselves. Our goal is to unite the forces acting separately from Al-Nusra and wage a harsh struggle against both ISIS and Al-Nusra.

TURKISH BOMBARDMENTS MUST STOP

What will your response be in the event that Turkey continues its aggression on Rojava?

We do not believe Turkey can resume this policy because of the fact that Turkey is suffering heavy and unresolved problems within its own borders. As a matter of fact, Turkey makes such a noise in an effort to hide its internal situation from the world.

The Turkish state is committing a massacre against the civilian people in Amed, Sur, Nusaybin, Cizre, Silopi and many other areas, and this state of affairs is already on the world agenda. Turkey is receiving criticism in this regard, because of which it wants to catch the attention on Rojava in order to hide its own failures.

Turkey has to stop its attacks and abandon this approach towards Rojava. It has no right to bomb Efrîn or Til Rifat where there are civilians. These acts do not serve Turkey's interests anyway. Turkey must be convinced that it cannot bomb its neighbors whenever it wants. This is a different region, a different border and a different land with credit. Turkey must respect the international rules. The United Nations has called upon Turkey to obey these rules. In this regard, our policy is not focused on scaling up this issue. We are acting otherwise.

We have not declared a war against Turkey so far, nor will we adopt such a stand but Turkey must stop its bombardments. Our patience has limits.

[Anthea]

Syrian Democratic Council (MSD) Co-President İlham Ehmed said it is now being discussed about a federal system in Syria in which Kurds in Federal Northern Syria will sustain an autonomous organisation in the system they have been building.

Ehmed spoke to ANF on the latest military developments in Rojava, Turkey’s attacks on Rojava, and the status of the Geneva-3 talks. We hereby publish the second part of the interview.

THERE MAY BE NO GENEVA-3

The failed Geneva-3 talks are expected re-begin on 25 February but the current developments on the ground may result in another suspension of the talks. What do you think in this regard?

We don't believe that talks can be held under these circumstances. There may be no Geneva-3 at all. The situation of the opposition is different now than what it was before the Geneva meeting. They had been present in and around Aleppo before, but lost it, too, now. If the Damascus regime takes the entire control of Aleppo, it might also refuse negotiations because there will be no opposition.

A FEDERAL SYSTEM IN SYRIA BEING DISCUSSED

What about the forces in Rojava?

In the current state of affairs, Kurds and other forces in Rojava are determining how the Syrian system should be through the military achievements and the policy they put forward where they are present. It is now being discussed about a federal system in Syria in which Kurds in Federal Northern Syria will sustain an autonomous organisation and the system they have been building.

Do you mean the existing system in Syria will turn into a federal structure and a decision on this has already been made?

I do not want to broach this matter in detail for now. What is essential is the fight waged in Rojava and it is inevitable to achieve the democratization of Syria in line with this struggle.

Observations made during the discussions of structures that include international powers are for the formation of 3 federal regions in Syria. This is what is wanted by the peoples of Syria, and the states, parties and groups that seek a political solution in Syria. America and Russia are also of the same opinion.

Has this decision been made already and how will the formation of 3 federal regions be recognized?

As I've just said, I do not want to detail this issue for now. Yet, I can say that it is this idea that will be discussed from now on; i.e. formation of a Federal Syria to be constituted by Northern Syria, Southern Syria and Central Syria. Every one of these federal regions will preserve its own distinctness of identities and ethnic diversities. Each federal region will have its own parliament. This is all I can say for now.

What about the attitude of the regime and opposition towards the federal system intended to be formed?

In comparison to the opposition, the regime is much more moderate on this subject. Those seeking a political solution in Syria believe that the Syrian crisis can be resolved through this system.

If it happens as you say, Geneva-3 will be rendered meaningless. In this case, will the case end up in a Syria sought by Kurds since the very beginning?

I do not want to say anything else on this. We will wait and see.

As a last thing, I would like to ask you what will happen with the Syrian regime, and if it will continue with Assad in such a case.

An election to involve the 3 federal regions could be held in order to choose whom the people want.

In line with the military initiatives of the Syrian Democratic Forces, will it take time to unify the Canton of Efrîn with the other cantons?

It requires some time to unify this line. The military operations are aimed at not only unifying the cantons but also eliminating the threat of ISIS in these regions. ISIS is a major threat on this line, and not only for Kurds but also for Arabs. This threat needs to be removed.

Despite Turkey's growing reaction, does the U.S. also want the unification of this line?

The U.S. and Russia know it is ISIS that hinders the unification of the cantons and that its elimination will enable the achievement of this objective.