Syrian writer warns of grave Turkish plots

 Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, Syria’s political landscape remains mired in uncertainty and stagnation, marked by a proliferation of factionalism. Amid this deadlock, Turkey has been actively consolidating its influence through territorial ambitions along the Syrian coast, leveraging disputes over issues such as maritime boundary delineations.

 While there has been rhetoric around fostering national dialogue, achieving calm, and establishing a unified Syrian military, Turkish-backed mercenary groups continue their assaults on regions in North and East Syria, undermining efforts toward a resolution.

 Shifting Power Dynamic

 Syrian political analyst Mohamed Issa explained that the fall of Assad’s regime and subsequent structural changes to the state have led to a deeply problematic scenario. He noted the initial public jubilation over the demise of an autocratic, corrupt system but also highlighted how this has devolved into factional violence resembling a civil war, with the former regime cleverly manipulating the situation to remain in power by presenting itself as a less dangerous alternative to Islamist extremist factions.

 Issa criticized the international community for enabling this dynamic, pointing to tacit agreements that allowed radical groups classified as terrorist organizations to replace Assad’s regime. These developments, he argued, have only deepened the crisis.

 Turkish Exploitation of Syrian Unrest

 Issa raised concerns about Turkey's opportunistic exploitation of the situation, specifically its manipulation of the transitional Syrian government. He accused Ankara of steering Syrian politics in a manner that serves its long-term ambitions of territorial expansion, notably into areas rich in natural resources, such as Syria’s coastal and maritime zones.

 Turkey’s actions, Issa warned, are not limited to direct interventions. They also include facilitating tensions between Syria’s ethnic and sectarian groups, thereby derailing national reconciliation efforts and delaying the planned national conference to February. These moves, he said, aim to embed Turkey’s proxies firmly within the fabric of Syrian power.

 Undermining the Democratic Project

 Issa also condemned Turkey’s media and propaganda campaigns, which aim to delegitimize the Autonomous Administration in North and East Syria. He argued that Turkey’s dissemination of falsehoods, including accusations of separatism and resource mismanagement, seeks to alienate this model from its popular base. He highlighted how this divisive rhetoric risks triggering broader national disunity and paving the way for further fragmentation of the Syrian state.

 Turkey's Mercenary Attacks Obstruct the Political Path

 Addressing the assaults by Turkish occupation mercenaries on NE Syria, Issa stated: "Turkey's ongoing militarization against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), through the escalation of battles spearheaded by factions of the so-called 'National Army,' seeks, among other objectives, to deepen the rift between the Syrian Arab component and the SDF. This strategy complicates opportunities for a national solution to the Syrian crisis, delays and undermines the objectives of the National Conference scheduled for February, and expands Ankara’s leverage to entrench its gangs further into the core structures of the Syrian state."

 The Syrian writer also highlighted the incitement campaigns proliferating across virtual social media platforms. He remarked: "Undoubtedly, one of the primary purposes of the anti-Kurdish campaign waged by websites and media outlets aligned with the Turkish government—or operating under its orbit—is to sever the connection between the Syrian Democratic Forces’ project and its popular base. This is achieved by vilifying the progressive project spearheaded by the political class, embodied by the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), which directs the SDF’s work. This campaign employs a barrage of fabrications, including promoting notions of separatism, resource theft, and alleged collusion with the United States."

 He further noted: "These reckless plans and baseless allegations, during this critical juncture, constitute a gateway to severe repercussions for national unity and the integrity of Syria’s social fabric. They pave the way for civil wars, the least damaging of which is the potential fragmentation of the Syrian state."

 Autonomous Administration: A Path Forward

 Issa concluded by advocating for the Autonomous Administration in North and East Syria as a model for national stability and cohesion. He praised its success in fostering harmony among diverse ethnic and religious groups, defeating ISIS, and ensuring a higher degree of economic and social stability compared to other regions. The inclusive participation of women within this governance structure, he said, exemplifies modern, equitable leadership.

 He called for embedding the principles of the Autonomous Administration into Syria’s constitutional framework as a means to achieve justice, dignity, and unity. For Issa, the project offers the most viable pathway toward a democratic nation capable of reconciling its complexities while preserving its territorial integrity and ensuring peace for all its citizens.

a.k

ANHA