Al-aalem Al-jadeed

A newspaper free from partisanship,
sectarianism and the influence of its owners

Imposing Peace by “Force”… Is the Conflict Between Turkey and PKK in Iraq and Syria Coming to an End?

Following the recent upheavals in the region, a process of de-escalation has begun to emerge, resembling an effort to “impose peace by force” and bring about a prolonged cessation or resolution of conflicts. One of the most notable of these conflicts is the longstanding dispute between the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and Turkey, as well as with the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) in Iraq.

The Turkish-Kurdish conflict in the Middle East is one of the region’s most complex and longstanding issues. In response, Ankara has launched numerous military operations aimed at pursuing PKK militants in both Iraq and Syria. These include recent operations, some of the largest and most intense in years, during which Turkish forces have taken control of areas and villages in Duhok, northern Iraq. Additionally, Turkish forces continue to bombard Syrian territories, targeting positions of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which is primarily composed of PKK elements.

However, signs of a potential de-escalation have recently emerged, notably in the form of a visit by SDF leader Mazlum Abdi to Erbil, where he met with Masoud Barzani, the head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). This meeting was widely described as “historic” and marked a significant shift. According to a tweet by Abdi, the meeting with Barzani was “a source of happiness… We discussed Syria’s ongoing transformation, and agreed that the Kurdish stance in Syria should be unified. We also emphasized that dialogue with Damascus should protect the Kurdish people’s rights peacefully. The importance of Kurdish unity and regional stability is a shared responsibility for us all.”

Barzani’s office confirmed that the meeting focused on the situation in Syria, the latest security and political developments, and the broader framework for Kurdish political parties to address the evolving situation. The discussions emphasized that Kurdish parties in Syria must decide their future independently and peacefully, ensuring their rights and fostering unity with the new Syrian leadership to achieve mutual understanding and agreement.

Barzani’s Mediation Role

Sources familiar with the situation, in an interview with Al-Alam Al-Jadeed, indicated that “Turkey is making moves toward a historic reconciliation with the PKK, a process that began with statements from PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, who is imprisoned in Turkey, calling for Turkish-Kurdish brotherhood and the cessation of conflicts.”

These sources added that “Masoud Barzani is expected to play a crucial role in mediating between Ankara and the PKK, with the goal of resolving the longstanding conflict between the two sides.” They explained that “the process began with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), whose leader Mazlum Abdi asked Barzani to intervene in order to end the fighting with Turkey and prepare for a new chapter. This chapter would include the withdrawal of all PKK fighters from northeastern Syria and the integration of SDF forces into the Syrian army.”

Notably, Mazlum Abdi was one of Abdullah Öcalan’s close allies and grew up in the Qandil Mountains, the PKK’s stronghold.

The conflict between Turkey and the PKK dates back to May 1983, when Turkey launched its first military operation outside its borders to pursue PKK elements, in coordination with the Iraqi government at the time. This operation involved thousands of Turkish soldiers and various combat units. Since then, major military operations have been frequent, with the 11th recorded operation occurring in 2008. Subsequent operations have continued over the years, with increasing intensity.

Confirmation from the KDP

Rebin Salam, a member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, confirmed in an interview with Al-Alam Al-Jadeed the accuracy of these reports and noted that there is “American interest in ending the Turkish-Kurdish conflict in the region.”

Salam emphasized that “Mazlum Abdi’s visit to Erbil and his meeting with Masoud Barzani were a response to previous requests from the SDF, who sought Barzani’s intervention and mediation with Turkey to stop the fighting in northeastern Syria.”

He added that “the Kurdistan Region stands to benefit greatly from the reconciliation between Turkey and the PKK, as the ongoing conflict has caused substantial security and economic problems for the region and created long-standing crises. The Kurds have not gained anything from the presence of the PKK.”

He further stated, “Achieving rights cannot continue in this manner. There are multiple ways to demand rights that are guaranteed under international law.”

The KDP leader also noted, “The region is entering a new phase of stability, especially with the declining influence of Iran. The United States does not want the Turkish-Kurdish conflict to persist and will exert pressure to resolve this issue, as it remains the primary obstacle in the region today.”

It is important to note that the KDP, under Masoud Barzani’s leadership, has strong ties with Turkey, and has been publicly accused by Kurdish and Iraqi factions of facilitating the entry of Turkish forces into Iraqi territory. Turkey now has more than 20 military bases in Iraq, claiming to target PKK militants who are based in the mountains and villages of the Kurdistan Region.

Turkish forces continue to bombard Kurdish villages in Duhok and Erbil almost daily, using aircraft and armored vehicles, causing numerous casualties. Turkey also occupies large areas in Duhok Governorate.

SDF: Turkey’s Stubbornness

Fathallah Hosseini, the representative of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria in Sulaymaniyah (who is closely associated with the SDF), explained in an interview with Al-Alam Al-Jadeed that “the Kurdish hand has always been extended for peace, both in Syria and in the region. The Syrian Democratic Forces have never posed a threat to Turkey’s national security.”

Hosseini pointed out that “the Turks claim that the SDF poses a threat to their national security, but we have consistently called for civil peace.” He revealed that “there have been American mediations between the SDF and Turkey to create a conducive environment for settlement and peace. Additionally, both the National Union (governing in Sulaymaniyah) and the KDP (governing in Erbil) have encouraged peace because we do not pose a threat to anyone. Our goal is peace in all of Syria.”

Regarding Turkey’s position, he clarified, “Turkey remains adamant despite the ongoing mediation efforts and delegations visiting northeastern Syria or Ankara. While all international powers and Arab nations are advocating for peace and de-escalation, Turkey persists in its conflict, and the bombing continues.” He added, “In his new term, President Trump may play a key role in pressuring Turkey to initiate the peace process and end the conflict with the Kurds.”

It is noteworthy that a PKK official told Reuters yesterday that the PKK is willing to end its presence in Syria, provided that the Kurds maintain a leading role in their regions. He confirmed that any initiative leading to governance of northeastern Syria by the SDF or giving them a significant role in shared leadership would prompt the PKK to agree to leave the area.

According to the official, if the PKK withdraws from Syria, it will continue to monitor the situation from a distance and act against Turkish forces if necessary. However, he shifted the focus to President Trump, noting that “Syria’s future will be determined after the 20th of this month, once Trump takes office.”

“Pressure” Yields Results

Political analyst Latif Mirza, in an interview with Al-Alam Al-Jadeed, observed that “the American pressure on Turkey is significant, especially in light of the meeting between Masoud Barzani and Mazlum Abdi, which marks the beginning of the end of the Turkish-Kurdish conflict, particularly given the strong ties between Barzani and Ankara.”

Mirza noted that “under American pressure, Turkey will likely take several actions to demonstrate goodwill, including halting the bombing of areas in the Kurdistan Region, granting Kurds certain rights and privileges, possibly releasing some Kurdish political prisoners, and withdrawing from northeastern Syria, provided that international UN forces are stationed along the Syria-Turkey border to prevent any threats to Turkey’s territory.”

He added, “This will pave the way for the historic reconciliation between Turkey and the PKK, ending a long-standing crisis that has impacted the region, particularly Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.”

إقرأ أيضا