The Implications of Turkish Elections for Kurds in Syria

As Turkey approaches its upcoming elections, Syrian Kurds closely monitor the situation, as Turkish politics have significantly affected their lives in recent years.

Incumbent President Erdogan is seeking to consolidate his power through an alliance that includes nationalist and religious extremist groups. Erdogan has been a significant player in the Syrian conflict, supporting various armed groups, including extremist factions, and pursuing expansionist and Ottomanist ambitions. He has also launched several military offensives against Kurdish areas in Syria, such as the 2016 invasion of Jarablus and al-Bab, the 2018 occupation of Afrin, and the 2019 offensive against Serê Kaniyê (Ras al-Ain) and Geri Spi (Tel Abyad). As a result, Kurds in Syria are wary of Erdogan and his extremist allies remaining in power.

However, the opposition candidate, Kilicdaroglu, also presents concerns for Kurds in Syria. As a staunch Kemalist, he leads a party responsible for brutal massacres against Kurds in the early 20th century. The party has consistently voted with the government to allow the Turkish military to launch offensives against Kurds outside Turkey. Furthermore, Kilicdaroglu is allied with the far-right nationalist, the Good Party (İyi Parti), raising concerns about their potential policies toward Kurds in Syria.

While Kilicdaroglu has promised to improve relations with Syria’s government, there is no guarantee that they will not collude against Syrian Kurds and legitimize the Turkish occupation of Kurdish cities in Syria.

For Kurds in Syria, the situation is complex and uncertain. Neither Erdogan nor Kilicdaroglu offers a clear path toward justice and recognition of Kurdish rights. Moreover, the ongoing conflict in Syria means that Kurdish communities continue to face various challenges, from displacement and violence to political marginalization and economic hardship.

The Kurdish people in Syria want the Turkish occupying forces to withdraw from their areas and remove all settlements built on Kurdish lands in Syria with the aim of demographic change. They do not want Turkey to encourage extremist Islamic groups to fight against them. The Syrian Kurds do not want to be enemies with Turkey, and it will be crucial for them to have good trade relations between the two sides.

While the Syrian Kurds are not part of Turkey and cannot directly impact the Turkish elections, they must ensure that Turkey does not play an obstructive role in any possible solutions with Damascus. There is hope that the Turkish elections could mark a turning point in the relationship between the Turkish state and Kurdish communities in Syria. The emergence of new political forces, such as the pro-Kurdish People’s Democratic Party (HDP), has challenged the traditional binary of Turkish politics and opened up new possibilities for cooperation and dialogue.

Regardless of who wins the upcoming elections, the new government in Turkey must recognize the rights of Kurdish communities in Syria and work towards a peaceful and just resolution to the conflict. This means engaging in genuine dialogue with Kurdish leaders, acknowledging the historical and ongoing injustices Kurds face, and taking concrete steps to address their grievances.

In conclusion, the Turkish elections have significant implications for the Kurdish community in Syria, and the new government must take steps toward recognizing Kurdish rights and addressing their long-standing grievances. While neither Erdogan nor Kilicdaroglu offers a perfect solution, there is hope that the emergence of new political forces could open up new opportunities for cooperation and dialogue between the Turkish state and Kurdish communities in Syria.