SULAIMANI, Kurdistan Region — The General Commander of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Mazloum Abdi wrote for the Washington Post that they don’t want anyone to fight for them amid Turkey’s threats on Rojava (northeastern Syria), but rather to assist them with “a more difficult task: peace.”
We ask no one to fight for us… What we ask is for the world to be with us in a more difficult task: peace.
Following Istanbul’s deadly explosion that killed six people and injured dozens last month, Turkish officials vowed to launch ground military operations against the SDF in Rojava.
Abdi wrote “Adding to the terror and chaos of the bombing campaign, Erdogan continues to threaten a ground invasion of our territory. We know what the consequences of such an attack will be, because Turkey has done this twice before.”
The Turkish authorities claim that Kurdish armed groups are behind the attack and use this as a pretext for attacking Rojava. However, Abdi rejects any involvement in the explosion, adding that they “deplore and condemn this act of terror, reject all accusations of involvement and again offer our condolences to the victims.”
“We reiterate our call for an investigation and are ready to assist if one takes place,” asserted Abdi.
Abdi added that the SDF, in coordination with the International Coalition, successfully defeated ISIS in the region. However, Turkey, as a U.S. ally and a member of NATO, continues to threaten Rojava and its gains.
Abdi believes that the Kurdish conflict in the region, which “brought so much pain and suffering,” is a political issue.
“There is no inherent hatred between Kurds and Turks: Turkish leaders have made the political choice to see Kurds as a security threat and deny us our fundamental democratic rights,” wrote Abdi.
There is no inherent hatred between Kurds and Turks
As a solution to the ongoing tensions in the region, Abdi declared they are prepared to engage in any peace-making efforts.
“We declare that we are ready to play a helpful role in restarting these talks and reaching the peace that we seek,” wrote Abdi.
He also called on the international community to “immediately take concrete steps” as a means to stop Turkey from launching military operations against Rojava and find a political solution to Kurdish issues based on “democracy, coexistence and equal rights” as peace and security are essential to the “existence” and stability of the Rojava people.
