By Fadi Hussein
MANBIJ, Syria (North Press) – Political figures and activists in the city of Manbij, northern Syria, believe that the Syrian government is taking advantage of Turkish threats to create chaos and disrupt security and stability with the aim of furthering its own interests.
Reem Darwish, co-chair of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) in Manbij and its countryside, believes that Turkish threats persist against the areas of northeastern Syria, with a particular focus on the strategically important city of Manbij.
In an interview with North Press, Darwish said that the city of Manbij is facing increasing Turkish threats, coupled with escalations from the Syrian government, which shows no opinion or reaction towards the ongoing shelling and occupation of several parts of the Syrian territory.
Manbij is one of the most important industrial centers in northern Syria, as it is a transportation hub and sits on a commercial road linking Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES)-held areas with those of the Syrian government, in addition to opposition-held areas in northern Syria.
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) supported by the US-led Global Coalition to Defeat Islamic State (ISIS) liberated Manbij from ISIS in 2016 following fierce battles.
Following its liberation from ISIS, the Arabs, Kurds, Circassians and Turkmen, who constitute the fabric of Manbij, established their own administration under the name of Democratic Civil Administration of Manbij and its Countryside to run the affairs of their region. Then, this administration joined the AANES.
Recently, there has been an increase in Turkish threats and escalations against the city of Manbij in northern Syria, including the use of drone strikes. Simultaneously, the Syrian government has been deliberately stirring up unrest and chaos within the city, taking advantage of the Turkish threats.
Darwish added that all parties in Syria, including the Syrian people, must unite, and there should be intra-Syrian talks to end the Syrian crisis and end the occupation from all areas of northern Syria.
After every Turkish threat against the city of Manbij, there is always instigation of unrest by the Syrian government, which is considered the biggest beneficiary in achieving its political interests in the region, Darwish noted.
She highlighted the importance of engaging in a substantive dialogue with the government to address the Syrian crisis and achieve a harmonious Syria free from internal conflicts and external influences.
On the other hand, Abdulqader al-Hussein, a political activist from Manbij, believes that the interventions of the government through its agents in the city are aimed at “creating chaos in Manbij and its countryside and destabilizing the region.”
Al-Hussein told North Press that “the Syrian government seeks gains by creating chaos within Manbij; to provide an opportunity for Turkey to carry out its overt and covert attacks and threats in the northeastern regions of Syria in general and specifically in Manbij, and this serves its interests.”
Whenever Turkey threatens and attacks the security and stability of Manbij, the Syrian government engages in spreading discord and tricks to achieve gains that serve its political interests in the region, he noted.
Al-Hussein believes that through this chaos, the state government seeks to exert political pressure to “increase its interference in the affairs of the northeastern regions of Syria.”
Meanwhile, Abdulhakim al-Issa, a political activist from Manbij, believes that “the regime’s government is trying to fish in troubled waters, by taking advantage from any Turkish threat, which is in accordance with the government, both of whom are portrayed as enemies publicly while are friends behind closed doors.”
Al-Issa considers that the Turkish actions are an indication of a relationship between the Syrian government and Turkey. Therefore, Damascus is attempting to exploit any Turkish threat because they both do not want the people in the region to live in peace and safety.
“Through its weak act and positions, the Syrian government, along with its Iranian, Turkish, and Russian allies, has proven to be an enemy of the Syrian people in general and across all segments,” the activist added.
“It will take fifty years for Syria to be liberated, and that will be by the noble individuals from the region, not those who have selfish motives and materialistic goals,” the activist noted.
“The government aims, through the chaos and turmoil in Manbij, to assert its control over the region and fulfill its objectives,” al-Issa concluded.