Syrian Kurds have done their bit, they now need support from allies
Baghouz, the last bastion of Daesh, has been reclaimed, and with this the process of rebuilding of Syria and rehabilitation of thousands of Daesh fighters and their families have begun. It’s an interesting point in time for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), who have been vital players in the fight against the extremist group. SDF has around 3,000 members of Daesh in their custody. And these include important leaders who commanded military attacks in and outside the Syrian territories, says SDF spokesman Mustefa Bali.
The Kurds have been able to extract and record testimonies from leaders and members of Daesh, which could have a damning effect on a number of countries. According to
Daesh members, some countries financed and facilitated movement of foreign fighters in both
Syria and Iraq.
Now that the war is over, many western governments are not willing to accept repatriated citizens who served as Daesh members. There are security concerns, of course, and the chivalrous Kurds are well aware that they might have to take care of this burden by themselves. Western governments are skeptical that returning Daesh soldiers or members could act as lone wolves, perpetrate terrorist attacks in their countries of origin, and destabilise security.
The Kurds might see this as an opportune time to negotiate, and they know they can count on the US government to back them as both have common interests.
The Americans realise that the Kurdish region is the only region that they might have control over in Syria. They could create a base there, not far from the oil fields that are controlled by Kurds. In return, the US forces could provide security to the Kurds from any Turkish invasion like the one in Afrin.
The Pentagon announced recently allocation of $300 million to support the SDF to fight Daesh as well as $250 million to secure the borders of Syria’s neighbours.
The Syrian Kurds have been pivotal in the fight against Daesh. Their sacrifices ensured victory for the coalition. In their last battle in Baghouz, SDF lost 750 members — twice the number of extremists killed by them. Yet, they managed to win the battle and break down the caliphate. On the whole, about 9,800 Kurdish fighters have lost their lives in the battle to overthrow Daesh.
The Kurds who have now established a semi-autonomous administration in northern and eastern Syria, regions that are rich in oil, water, and agricultural resources, are aware that they need the Syrian government guardianship to protect them from the Turks. Turkey, on the other hand, is aware that it cannot replicate the success of Afrin elsewhere.
The Kurds are expecting guarantees in terms of security, and support in keeping the captured foreign members of Daesh in their region to prevent them going back to their countries and interfering with the security issues.
The Syrian Democratic Forces have called for “a special international tribunal in north-east Syria to prosecute terrorists”. They want to ensure that trials are “conducted fairly and in accordance with international law and human rights covenants and charters.”
Peace will remain elusive in Syria until the Kurdish issue is taken care of. A stable Kurdish region will benefit many. It’ll help stabilise markets and currency, and facilitate the process of Syria reconstruction.
The Syrian Democratic Forces have called for “a special international tribunal in north-east Syria to prosecute terrorists”. They want to ensure that trials are “conducted fairly and in accordance with international law and human rights covenants and charters.”