Aleppo intellectuals expose Turkish occupation claims, its current Policies

 In an assessment conducted by ANHA agency regarding Turkey’s recent claims of seeking a solution to the Kurdish issue—while simultaneously resorting to military force and continuing attacks on the peoples of North and East Syria—Aleppo’s intellectuals have highlighted the contradiction in Ankara’s approach. They argue that Turkey’s rhetoric does not align with its actions, exposing a political strategy rather than a genuine shift in policy.

 Shirin Sheikho, the member of the Aleppo Cultural Forum, stated: "The Turkish state's ongoing military operations in North and East Syria, coupled with its public discourse claiming a commitment to resolving the Kurdish issue, do not alter the reality that Turkey remains deeply nationalistic and refuses to recognize any identity beyond its own."

 Sheikho further explained that Turkey’s changing rhetoric is primarily driven by its political ambitions: "Ankara fears being sidelined in the emerging geopolitical landscape of the Middle East. As a result, it has opted for tactical concessions, exploiting the Kurdish issue to maintain its regional influence while offering empty promises."

 Sheikho also pointed to Turkey’s recent move allowing leader Ocalan to communicate, suggesting that this was not a sign of goodwill but rather a desperate attempt to divert global attention from its aggressive policies toward the Kurds: "This is not an act of reconciliation; rather, it is a maneuver by a state that finds itself cornered. Turkey stands on the brink and is using such gestures as a distraction."

 She further emphasized Turkey’s contradictory stance: "While it claims to support peace, Turkey continues its military interventions in Başûr (Iraqi Kurdistan), Sinjar, and North and East Syria. Its actions remain at odds with its words, and it has failed to create the necessary conditions for a genuine resolution to the Kurdish issue."

 Finally, Sheikho underscored the broader implications of unresolved conflicts in the region: "We firmly believe that lasting peace in the Middle East begins with resolving both the Palestinian and Kurdish issues. Failure to address these fundamental issues will only perpetuate the cycle of crises in the region."

 Mohammed Ali Mohammed, the political activist, member of the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Party, and participant in the Aleppo Cultural Forum, analyzed Turkey’s recent statements: "Ankara is not softening its stance out of goodwill or a commitment to resolving the Kurdish issue—it is doing so to save itself from the abyss."

 He emphasized that all authoritarian regimes ultimately collapse, regardless of their longevity:"History teaches us that dictatorship always leads to downfall. Nations and states progress only after the fall of oppressive regimes. Turkey’s fate as an occupying force will be no different, though it has yet to acknowledge this reality."

 Mohammed highlighted Turkey’s continued military aggression toward the Kurds: "Ankara still clings to its military strategy, seeking to erase the Kurdish identity because it perceives the Kurds as a threat to its nationalist ideology. From committing massacres to facilitating the division of Kurdistan through international treaties, Turkey has systematically denied the Kurds their most basic rights and crushed their aspirations for self-determination."

 Mohammed asserted that Turkey’s ambitions are ultimately futile: "Through these tactics, Turkey has attempted to eliminate the Kurdish people, erase their history, and redraw their geography. But they have failed and will continue to fail. Realizing that military force has not yielded the results it desires, Turkey is now attempting to soften its rhetoric to avoid further international scrutiny."

 He further exposed Turkey’s duplicity:"Its drone strikes and proxy gangs targeting North and East Syria expose its true intentions. Turkey is not serious about peace—it has simply exhausted its military options and is now resorting to empty rhetoric. This entire strategy is nothing more than an attempt to escape the quagmire it created for itself through unjustified violence."

 Mohammed also emphasized the growing international recognition of the Kurdish struggle: "The Kurdish issue has become a global matter, debated in local, regional, and international forums and parliaments. The Kurdish people have gained the trust of many societies through their political project, which offers a viable model for stability in the Middle East."

 From a broader perspective, writer and Aleppo Cultural Forum member Mohammed Qamber analyzed Turkey’s long-term strategy: "One moment, Turkey speaks of peace and justice for the Kurds, and the next, it uses brutal force against them. This duality is an attempt to portray itself as a benevolent actor while maintaining its aggressive policies."

 Qamber pointed out the contradiction between Turkey’s rhetoric and its actions:

"On the ground, Turkey’s actions expose its deception. It has never recognized Kurdish identity or existence. Historically, it occupied Kurdish lands under international treaties, altered their demographics, and built its state over them."

 Regarding Turkey’s intervention in Syria, he added: "Turkey has interfered in Syria without any invitation or legitimate mandate. It has unilaterally appointed itself as the guardian of Syria’s security and stability, but its true intention is to suppress Kurdish forces and eliminate Kurdish presence altogether."

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ANHA