Luqman Ahmi warns against exploiting Tal Kocher closure by ISIS, regional forces

Luqman Ahmi, a spokesman for the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria warned that ISIS and regional forces are exploiting the economic consequences of the Tal Kocher crossing closure, but at the same time, he stressed that the areas of north and east Syria will rely on their own capabilities to bypass the unjust UN resolution.

14 July, 2021 23:21

NEWS DESK - MOSTAFA ALO

On July 9^th, the United Nations Security Council approved a draft resolution prepared by Russia and the United States of America to extend the decision to close the Tal Kocher border crossing between north-east Syria and Iraq and to maintain Bab al-Hawa crossing between Turkey and Idlib.

The UN resolution coincided with a smear campaign against the Autonomous Administration at home and Turkey's threats to occupy more areas liberated from ISIS in north and east Syria.

The closure of Tal Kocher crossing was a result of obedience to Turkish and Russian bargaining

In this context, the spokesman for the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, Luqman Ahmi, said, "The Autonomous Administration has spared no effort to reopen Tal Kocher crossing, and there have been several diplomatic meetings with several countries to put forward a project in the Security Council, including the opening of the previous crossings that were closed by Russian-Chinese veto, but the countries that had positive attitudes regarding the opening of Tal Kocher crossing unfortunately did not maintain their positions and succumbed to bargaining under Russian and Turkish pressures.

Ahmi added, "Of course, the Tal Kocher crossing was a major artery for the north and east of Syria in the case of the war we are witnessing and in the case of the economic and political siege that multiple parties are trying to impose on the Autonomous Administration.

Ahmi stressed that "since its establishment, the Autonomous Administration has not relied on the external factor, but this external factor was a helpful factor to strengthen the internal factors, whether from the military, economic or service, as well as from the humanitarian aspect."

He added in the same context, "The Tal Kocher crossing was an outlet and a tributary of the existing local capabilities. In the event of a complete siege on the area, it was an artery through which we could secure most of the materials we need."

They are trying to pressure the Autonomous Administration to make concessions in its political project to democratize Syria

Concerning the main objective of the decision to close the Tal Kocher crossing, the spokesperson for the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria said, "It is not in the interest of neighboring countries and those intervening in the Syrian affairs that the Autonomous Administration would have an independent decision, and by closing these crossings and the internal crossings between us and the interior areas in Syria, they are trying to pressure the Autonomous Administration to make concessions in its political project of democratizing Syria and bringing the Syrian homeland to a democratic, decentralized and pluralistic state."

Ahmi stressed that the policy of the Autonomous Administration from its inception until now is self-reliance, and if international aid or support is received, it will be a tributary to the Autonomous Administration project, which is self-reliance.

The Autonomous Administration will continue its diplomatic efforts

Ahmi pointed out that "the Autonomous Administration will continue diplomatic efforts if there is a possibility to reconsider this decision. From the beginning, it has relied on itself, will continue this approach and try to open all roads by diplomatic means."

The Damascus government welcomed a plan to stifle Syrians economically in north and east Syria

Ahmi explained, "When the Security Council resolution was issued, the Syrian Foreign Minister welcomed this decision, how does he welcome a decision that opens the way for terrorist groups to have contact with abroad, even though their project is a project to annex part of the Syrian territory to the Turkish state, and how does not he welcome another crossing to be opened to the outside for northeastern Syria although the project of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria preserves the unity of the Syrian territories."

International consensus to accept terrorists and reject the democratic project

Ahmi highlighted the double international standards in dealing with humanitarian files, "The militias ruling that region are on the international terrorism list issued by the United Nations; however, there is an official deal with this party, and this sends clear signals to the Syrian people that there is an international consensus to accept them, but when there is a democratic project to solve the Syrian crisis, there is an agreement not to accept them."

Ahmi added, "We will once again rebuild our economy in the region that was destroyed by war with our own capabilities, and we will try to do our best to have support from world public opinion in order to support this region and provide it with the capabilities and possible means to launch it again so that it can rely on itself."

Continuing the fight against ISIS requires international support

Ahmi criticized the Russian position on the people of north and east Syria, "The Russian position has been clear since the beginning of the closure of the crossing as a result of the use of the veto, as it depends on seizing opportunities and reaching what it wants step by step, as well as the policies of other countries. But the Autonomous Administration has a consistent approach which is to protect the people in north and east Syria, and in order to protect our people, the Syrian Democratic Forces led military campaigns against ISIS although there was international support. At first we defended our people, but defending our people and eliminating ISIS was also in the interest of other countries that used to be threatened by ISIS."

The interests balance prevails over the principles balance

Ahmi said in an indication to the United States of America, "We hoped that the allies would not put us under pressure and bargaining from the Syrian regime, but this international policy that runs the world and we are part of a world that depends on interests and does not depend on the principles that they advocate day and night.

The balance of interests prevails over the balance of principles. We are realistic and aware of international politics, and we are working with our utmost to achieve stability in this region and to preserve the gains made by our people with their blood to bring Syria to a democratic, decentralized and pluralistic state.

Ahmi stressed the need to continue fighting ISIS. "We eliminated ISIS together with the Syrian Democratic Forces' command on the ground, and we must fight the results of eliminating ISIS on the ground together. There are ISIS families in al-Hol camp. Tens of thousands of these need programs to reintegrate into society, and the Autonomous Administration's capabilities are not enough. There are terrorist ISIS fighters in the prisons of the Autonomous Administration, and the capabilities and resources of the Autonomous Administration are not enough to keep them in these prisons without international support."

"There are also the displaced in the north and east of Syria," he added.

Ahmi warned, "If there has not been international support to build infrastructure again, ISIS and other countries interfering in the Syrian affairs would take advantage of their need to secure the livelihood of their families and to recruit them to achieve their different agendas."

Ahmi stressed that "in order to eliminate the environment that produces terrorists, international support is required to rebuild infrastructure and international aid for the displaced until the Autonomous Administration is able rebuild the infrastructure and start its economy with self-reliance."

ANHA