Syria’s Kurds Clash with Turkey as Assad Fades: The Unfading Conflict
To reach north-eastern Syria, we cross a rickety floating bridge over the River Tigris. Our minibus rattles as it traverses along this precarious route, passing through areas scarred by war and reconstruction. This journey takes us to Rojava, an autonomous region in northern Syria that has captured global attention due to its unique political system and ongoing struggle for recognition.
Rojava is governed under a democratic confederalist model inspired by the ideas of Abdullah Öcalan, leader of Turkey’s Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). The region comprises three cantons: Cizîre, Afrin, and Kobani. At its heart lies women’s autonomy and participation in governance, with female representatives holding significant positions.
The political landscape is marked by a delicate balance between Kurdish self-determination aspirations and external pressures from Turkey, which regards the PKK as a terrorist organization. This tension has led to periodic conflicts between Turkish military operations aimed at dismantling the PKK and SDF (Syrian Democratic Forces) units backed by the United States.
One of the key challenges Rojava faces is ensuring its autonomy within any future Syrian political structure. The region’s leadership, including figures like Salih Muslim Cemal from Kobani canton and Serdar Abubaker from Afrin, advocate for recognition as a federal entity with self-governance rights.
However, the road to achieving this remains fraught with obstacles. Turkey continues to support Syrian opposition groups that oppose Kurdish autonomy, while regional powers like Russia have their own interests in Syria’s politics and security dynamics. The international community is divided on how best to engage with Rojava and navigate its relationship within a unified post-conflict Syria.
Despite these challenges, the region has made significant strides in social policy, particularly in gender equality. Women are heavily involved in local governance structures and participate actively in conflict resolution efforts. This unique approach to politics and security aims to create a model of coexistence among different communities within Syria.
The ongoing situation highlights the complexities of peacebuilding and nation-building following prolonged conflicts. Rojava’s experiment with democratic confederalism offers valuable insights into alternative forms of governance, particularly for regions seeking self-determination amidst political fragmentation and external pressures.
