Syrian Kurds demonstrate in support of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the northeastern Syrian town of Qamishli. (Credit: Delil Souleiman/AFP via Getty Images)
One of the primary challenges for Syria’s new administration is addressing the aspirations of Syrian Kurds. Their attempts at greater autonomy face not only Turkey’s steadfast determination to militarily thwart any autonomous project along its borders but also scrutiny from Syria’s new authorities.The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a predominantly Kurdish group supported by Washington and controlling a semi-autonomous region in northeastern Syria, recently proposed maintaining an independent military unit within a reunified Syrian army. This proposal, however, was rejected by Syria’s new defense minister, Murhaf Abou Qasra, who said on Sunday: “A separate bloc within a major institution is unfair.” Read more Between the Kurds and Damascus, a century of tumultuous relations The minister called on armed groups to join the national...
One of the primary challenges for Syria’s new administration is addressing the aspirations of Syrian Kurds. Their attempts at greater autonomy face not only Turkey’s steadfast determination to militarily thwart any autonomous project along its borders but also scrutiny from Syria’s new authorities.The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a predominantly Kurdish group supported by Washington and controlling a semi-autonomous region in northeastern Syria, recently proposed maintaining an independent military unit within a reunified Syrian army. This proposal, however, was rejected by Syria’s new defense minister, Murhaf Abou Qasra, who said on Sunday: “A separate bloc within a major institution is unfair.” Read more Between the Kurds and Damascus, a century of tumultuous relations The minister called on armed groups to join...
