Jul 31, 2013

As clashes rage on the Turkish-Syrian border between the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) and Jabhat al-Nusra, PYD leader Saleh Muslim paid a surprise visit to Istanbul. What is happening in the region? What comes next? What should be Turkey’s stance? Can sectarian polarization spread to Turkey?

Hasan Kanbolat, president of the Ankara-based Center for Middle Eastern Strategic Studies (ORSAM), assessed the incidents along the border, the PYD factor and developments in Syria for the daily Taraf.

Kanbolat said, "The PYD declared its existence exactly a year ago. I see the announcement of autonomy somewhat appealing to Turkey’s domestic politics. The PYD has already declared de facto autonomy in northern Syria. Until recently, there was a Kurdish phobia in Turkey. Ankara was always considering the Kurds in Turkey and elsewhere to be a major threat. But we have now given up reading the Middle East through the Kurdish prism. Ankara’s general concern is different. There are 16 other Kurdish parties of varying sizes apart from the PYD in the Syria. But none of them have the political and economic clout of the PYD, or its appeal to youth. The PYD’s fundamental strength is its affiliation to the PKK and thereby the support of the Kurds of Turkey.”

Muslim’s visit very positive

"Muslim’s visit to Istanbul was very positive both for Ankara and the PYD. We need more dialogue in the region to better understand it. You can’t read the Middle East only through [the prism of] religion, sect or ethnicity. The Middle East is changing and will continue to change. Turkey has to reform its policies. All of Muslim's messages are designed not to upset Turkey. I find them very positive."