Syria bartering arena for international interests – Politicians
DARAA, Syria (North Press) – Politicians and human rights activists believe that Turkish threats of invading northern Syria confirm the fact that international interests are implemented at the expense of the Syrian people and their 11-year-old suffering.
Samira Moubayed, a member of the Syrian Constitutional Committee (SCC), told North Press: “Today, Turkey is seeking to take advantage of international circumstances in order to achieve its interests in Syria… primarily seeking to dominate the northern regions under the names of national security and safe zone.”
The SCC was established at the Sochi conference in January 2018 as a result of United Nations’ resolution 2254 which aims at finding a political solution in Syria. It consists of a Large and a Small Body: the Large Body comprises 150 members: 50 members of the government, 50 of the opposition, and 50 of civil society. While the Small Body comprises 45 members: 15 members for each party.
She said that this endeavor “is not something new, but is being re-proposed today due to international conflicts and the internal Syrian schism. The danger comes as the Turkish expansion will lead, once again, to Turkey carving out more vital areas from the Syrian territory.”
Turkey and its affiliated armed opposition factions, also known as Syrian National Army (SNA), took control of cities and regions in northern Syria during a series of military operations in the past years, starting with “Operation Euphrates Shield” in August 2016, “Operation Olive Branch” in January 2018, and ending with “Operation Peace Spring” in October of 2019.
Syria as a victim of internal Turkish conflicts
Moubayed believes that the international situation motivates Turkey’s ambitions, but it is not the only reason behind the Turkish threats, as these threats also “reflect an internal conflict between the Turkish government and the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), especially as Turkish elections approach.”
She stressed that Syria “is not only a victim of international politics, but is also a victim of Turkish internal conflicts, which today extend directly to northern Syria.”
She pointed out that “the weak ties between Syrians after a decade of armed conflict and Syria being an arena for regional and international rivalries are additional factors that embolden Turkey to invade Syria.”
Syria and Iran in light of Turkey’s threats
The politician believes that Iran and Syria are not seeking any direct military confrontations in the region against Turkey. In addition, the developments on the ground suggest an international tendency to minimize the Turkish escalation given its long-term consequences.
Moubayed stressed that “the affected Syrians in these areas must seek alternative solutions to ensure stability, most notably is the neutralization of the armed factions and militias.”
“Moderate civil administrations must be formed and the northern regions must be unified to be the core for building a modern Syria.”
Arena for expanding leverage
Lawyer and human rights activist Michael Shammas told North Press: “The Turkish threats to northern Syria come in light of the silence and weakness of the Assad regime… He is not concerned with preserving Syria’s unity as much as preserving his position.”
This is not the first time that Turkey threatens to occupy Syrian territory, and it has already done it in northern Syria.
“Turkey is taking advantage of all circumstances to expand its leverage over the [northern Syrian] region, whether it i the Russia-Ukraine war, the Syrian regime’s weakness or the Russian-American disputes.”
Shammas said, “We must not forget the role of the countries involved in the Syrian affairs, including Israel,” in emboldening Turkey to make such expansionist moves.