The attacks launched by Turkey and its affiliated Syrian National Army (SNA) against North and East Syria continue in the wake of Hayyet Tahrir al-Sham's offensive that resulted in the overthrow of the Syrian regime. The clashes continue, with clashes intensifying around the Tishreen Dam and Qereqozak Bridge. While the US-brokered ceasefire talks between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Turkey have not yet yielded any results, Turkey and the SNA continue to build up military masses on the border with Kobanê. SDF General Commander Mazlum Abdi stated that Kobanê is in a risky situation. 

 

 

Pointing to the relationship between the attacks and Turkey's neo-Ottomanism policy, Muhsin Dalfidan, Founding Member of the Association of Military Opponents of Military Coups (ADAM-DER), said: “There is a people there who are fighting to protect their existence, law, status quo and honor.” 

 

'GLOBAL CAPITAL WILL NOT ALLOW EXPANSION'

 

Asking what kind of threat North and East Syria poses to Turkey, Dalfidan underlined that there has been no concrete situation regarding the threat until today. “Then how can you send troops to the territory of another country? So this is not acceptable under international law and the right to self-defense. This is a disadvantageous situation for Turkey. You say, 'I am doing this to defend my country,' but you are conducting activities within Syrian borders. Turkey has recently been trying to revive its dreams of Neo-Ottomanism. I don't think that Turkey has the possibility to develop a serious expansionist policy outside the borders of Misak-ı Milli (National Pact). Of course, it can make certain expansions due to authority gaps; but it can only move to the extent that global powers allow it. The forces of global capital will not allow this. Therefore, Turkey needs to know the limits of its power. There is no justification for the expansionist policy,” he said.  

 

'THE AIM TO ELIMINATE GAINS OF THE KURDS' 

 

Dalfidan stated that there is a relationship between HTS's attacks on Damascus and the SNA's attacks on North and East Syria. Dalfidan added that when HTS captured Damascus, the SNA thought that “it is high time to eliminate the Kurdish gains”. There is a direct relationship between HTS and the SNA said Dalfidan and added: “Of course, there are differences between the two groups. It is not out of the question that there will be no clashes between the two tomorrow. On the other hand, it is known that Turkey has ordered the SNA to attack North and East Syria. It is no secret that the SNA is under Turkey's control in terms of training, shelter, logistics and many other aspects. Turkey does not deny this either. The aim of the attacks on North and East Syria is to eliminate the Kurdish gains.”  

 

'THERE IS NO PROSPECT OF A LASTING PEACE'

 

Drawing attention to the relationship between the policy and the power to implement it, Dalfidan pointed to this power of the US and said: “Therefore, the US needs both powers in the region. Turkey continues its attacks in order to strengthen its hand at a possible bargaining table. I don't think the US will tolerate the complete annihilation of the Kurds. Is it in the sense of human peoples and democracy, no, it has nothing to do with that. I think he will not condone this destruction for his imperial interests. Therefore, in my opinion, there is almost no possibility of a lasting peace in the region.” 

 

'THERE IS A CORRELATION BETWEEN ISIS AND SNA'

 

Pointing out that ISIS has not been completely eliminated, Dalfidan drew attention to the transitivity between ISIS and the SNA, “There are both relations and conflicts between these organizations. Therefore, there are also transitions between them. Therefore, it is not possible to say 'there are no ISIS members among the SNA'. It is possible that ISIS sends its undeciphered cadres to the SNA,” he added. 

 

Stating that ISIS members are not only in Rojava but also in Turkey, Dalfidan pointed to the release of ISIS members who killed 45 people at Atatürk Airport recently. Criticizing the release of ISIS members Dalfidan continued as follows:  “We know about the October 10 massacre. What the perpetrators did before this massacre was revealed in the court minutes. In this context, I think the releases are also political calculations. It is very controversial whether these releases are in a democratic perspective and on legal grounds.”