Potential Kurdish-Turkish Peace and Its Implications for the Islamic State

Abdullah Ocalan’s appeal for peace could facilitate Kurdish-Turkish relations and aid in the fight against the Islamic State. U.S. officials view this as an opportunity to bolster regional stability, while acknowledging challenges posed by the SDF’s link to the PKK. Ongoing Turkish military actions and rising IS activity complicate the peace prospects, leading to calls for sustained U.S. military presence in the region.

The recent decision by Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), to call on his followers to cease armed conflict for an independent Kurdish state has instigated discussions about potential peace between the PKK and Turkey. This move could positively influence efforts to combat the remaining factions of the Islamic State (IS) in the region, inciting hope in Washington as it seeks to ease tensions with Ankara. Brian Hughes, spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, characterized this development as significant, expressing optimism regarding its impact on regional peace and U.S. partnerships in Syria.

The longstanding alliance between the United States and Turkey has been challenged by U.S. support for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which Ankara considers linked to the PKK. The SDF reciprocated the optimism expressed by Washington but emphasized their intention to retain their arms. General Mazloum Abdi, the SDF’s military commander, stated that any peace agreement between Turkey and the PKK would create a more stable environment for their operations, indicating that conflict-related attacks against SDF positions could cease.

Turkish military actions against the SDF, including airstrikes, have exacerbated tensions, particularly one incident in 2022 that came dangerously close to U.S. forces. These attacks have stirred concerns about the security of SDF-run prisons, which currently hold approximately 10,000 IS fighters. The SDF’s Abdi highlighted the difficulties in managing these facilities while under consistent threat from Turkish-aligned militia and a resurgent IS.

Abdi noted that the Islamic State is exploiting the power vacuum created by the collapse of the Assad regime, becoming increasingly active and dangerous. He pointed out that IS has capitalized on weapon caches abandoned by regime forces and has been sending fighters into urban areas from their desert hideouts. This observation is corroborated by a recent UN report, which noted that IS continues to pose a substantial threat in both Syria and Iraq.

Abdi emphasized the necessity of continued U.S. military presence in Syria, currently estimated to include 2,000 troops, in order to avert chaos and instability in the region. He warned that a withdrawal would intensify the existing security vacuum, underlining the importance of maintaining U.S. support for security and stability in the area.

The proposition for a Kurdish-Turkish peace initiated by Abdullah Ocalan bears potential for improving relations and may ease concerns surrounding remnants of the Islamic State. Nevertheless, the ramifications of such a peace agreement remain uncertain, particularly considering the active threats posed by IS. Maintaining U.S. military presence in Syria is deemed essential to safeguard stability and counteract any resurgence of IS. Overall, while there is optimism surrounding this development, the complexities of the situation necessitate careful monitoring and strategic responses.

Original Source: www.voanews.com