Turkish Deputy PM Numaan Kurtulmus today confirmed that the Kurdish YPG has finally withdrawn its forces from the former ISIS city of Manbij, in northern Syria, following long-standing demands by Turkey that all Kurdish forces withdraw across the Euphrates River.
Kurtulmus welcomed the move, but insisted that Turkish troops “will continue our determination in the region until all means of terror is eliminated completely.” While this might preclude an offensive against Manbij, something expected since Turkey invaded Syria, it doesn’t necessarily mean there won’t be an offensive against the YPG.
That’s because while Turkey initially presented their demands being the YPG withdrawing from west of the Euphrates River, they’ve also suggested that one of their goals within Syria is to remove “terror” groups from the entire border, which includes a substantial strip of Kurdish territory spanning the border east of Jarabulus.
Turkey has repeatedly referred to the YPG as a terrorist group, claiming them to be in league with the Kurdish PKK, a secessionist movement in southeastern Turkey. They have also insisted they don’t see a difference between the YPG and ISIS, and have warned the US not to allow the YPG to participate in the offensive against Raqqa.
Let us not get emotional. I am aware of Kurdish plight and the way they were hit in Kobani by ISIS. But let us be realistic. Kurds were either forced or lowed themselves to be cajoled into being US ground force along Turkish border.
Truth must be said — it may hurt — but the victims turned victimizers. Kurds do not have population majority all along Turkish border — but have with US turni g blind eye kicked out non-Kurds from the area. They have done it in Manbij — no doubts about that. The objective US sought was to establish a Kosovo like situation. First “protect” it from “Assad” for a few years ang then recognize their independence. Naturally, there will be a US base there in perpetuity. Until so such territorial violations are accomplished in Turkey, Iraq and the. Iran. All those countries are not blind — and are supporting Turkey. There is no contiguous Kurdish area, and it should stay that way. Taking advantage of US goals in the region to pursue statehood has made Kurds pawns in US intent to carve out a piece of territory for itself. It is a rank stupidity of YPG leadership to assume that imperial interests will benefit them. Now they have actually endangered Kurds along the border. They will suffer the retribution when the expelled population comes back.
Doing evil in the name of some future good and relying on the world power that actually brought ISIS to torment them — is a dangerous liaison. Let us hope for the best — and that the empire stops manipulating people and the region comes together to solve its own problems.
I hear that.