The struggle of the Syrian people for independence has morphed into a struggle between international powers. Having lived in cities such as Aleppo and Damascus, some of the most ancient cities in the world, the Syrian people are now being forced to immigrate to foreign lands, where they are labelled as refugees and experience human degradation, knocking at the doors of European states.
When we examine the Syrian civil war in the context of the murderous Daesh, a terrorist organization that is the ferocious product of Western colonialism, and the complicated network of opposition groups, it is evident that the internal and foreign powers of politics are intertwined. From the political and military influence of Iran, Turkey, Jordan and Saudi Arabia to the U.S. backing of the PKK's branches in Syria and the innumerable terrorist groups in the region, including Daesh, the situation is dire. While the situation also involves the Syrian patriots trying to defend their homeland, the Syrian army, Iran's Hezbollah suspending its war against Israel and the al-Hashd al-Shaabi - the Shiite version of Daesh commanded by Iranian generals - we will focus solely on the PKK's Syrian branches for the remainder of this article.
The PKK's Syrian offshoot the Democratic Union Party (PYD) is a product of the changes we have observed since the Syrian rebellion began. During the initial phase of the conflict, the Ba'ath regime was on the brink of collapse and, following the murder of U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens, the U.S. seemed to forsake the option of regime change, making itself complicit in the prolonging of Syria's civil war and also weakening the position of its allies politically.
While the Syrian regime was in the throes of death, the regime forces left the northern lands of Syria to the experienced PKK/PYD. While it seemed to be a good chess move by Iran, the PKK has since passed those lands into the hands of the U.S. The PKK itself is such a sui generis terrorist organization that it has become an ally of the Syrian regime, Iran, the U.S., Russia and even Germany. It is curiously interesting that all these states have complicated relations of alliance and enmity with Turkey.
After the elimination of Daesh from Syrian lands bordering Turkey, the PKK has become a direct ally of the U.S. The bloc that is composed of the Syrian regime, Iran and Russia is not content with that seemingly temporary alliance. While their interests conflicted with those of Turkey, Iran and Russia now defend the territorial integrity of Syria and oppose the foundation of a terrorist state by the PKK.
As well seen in previous years, the PKK has already become a source of trouble for all interested powers except the U.S. It is obvious that Turkey, Iran and Russia will struggle to narrow the PKK's power in Syria and, such a strategic struggle could easily turn into a military conflict. We know that the sole aim of the PKK/PYD's armament by the U.S. is not only the elimination of the Daesh.
In Syria, Turkey and Russia keep an armistice among warring sides. From now on, the struggle will occur between those supporting the territorial integrity of Syria and those opposing it. Thanks to Turkey's massive Operation Euphrates Shield, Ankara clearly put forward its national interests. Yet, amongst such diplomatic calculations, no one seems to be interested in the tragedy that has affected 5 million Syrian refugees. While the U.N. continues to be ineffective, a fair world order has yet to come.