Another prominent Syrian Kurdish political party is the Kurdish Freedom Party in Syria, which is also known as “Azadi”. We had the opportunity to talk to the North Iraqi Representative of the party which has a considerable support base among the Syrian Kurdish population in Erbil. We talked to Mahmoud Ahmad Arabo, who is also a member of the Executive Board of the Azadi Party, about the outlook of party on the Syrian Kurds issue; the relations between the Kurdish National Council and the Syrian National Council, and the outlook of the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government and Turkey on Syrian Kurdish policies.
ORSAM: First of all, could you introduce yourself in brief?
MAHMOUD ARABO: My name is Mahmoud Ahmad Arabo, an my code name is Kawa Azizi. I have a PhD degree in Political Science from Sofia University. I completed my doctorate in 1991. I am academician in Faculty of Political Science at Seladdin University in Erbil since 2005. I give lectures on human rights, international organizations and civil society. Also, I am an executive board member of the Kurdish Azadi Party in Syria.
ORSAM: As a political scientist, what do you consider about the developments in Syria?
MAHMOUD ARABO: The situation in Syria is getting worse with each passing day. Currently, Syria is going through a sectarian war. The country is going towards a split. On the other hand, the humanitarian situation in the country is heartbreaking. The infrastructure in the country is about to be completely destroyed. Army and all security organizations will collapse. Agricultural and industrial activities have come to a dead stop. We are drifting into an unknown.
ORSAM: What is the attitude of Kurds in Syria towards the aforesaid developments?
MAHMOUD ARABO: 16 Kurdish political parties in Syria constitutes Syrian Kurdish National Council. This place is the office of Syrian Kurdish National Council in Iraqi Kurdistan. We are sure that the regime will collapse. The situation in Syria is heading towards the collapse of the state. As the people, we have been striving to live under double pressure for 7 years. One of the problems that cannot be solved in Syria is not only the Kurdish problem. There are also other issues related to Alawites, Druses, Christians, Shiites, Ismailis and Kurds. They constitute 45% of Syria. In addition, there are also Turkmens, Circassians and other nations in the country and all these nations live deprived of their rights, under pressure and torture. All the people and sects should have the rights to determine their own future in a united Syria. As Kurds, we wanted to determine our own future. More precisely, we asked for the right to define out future in the country, but we want the country to maintain its current borders. We want to determine our own destiny under a confederation, autonomy within the country. Syrian opposition had difficulty in accepting it, but we made it easier. Democratic and equitable solution for the Kurdish problem in Syria is possible through a political decentralized structure in Kurdish nations' own historical territories. There is still time to come up with an idea or a slogan for the solution. We'll see what Sunnis and Alawites are going to do. Alawites will shape the future of Syria.
ORSAM: How so?
MAHMOUD ARABO: They have the weapons, financial source and power. They have been governing the country for 40 years. They also provided the necessary infrastructure for the Alawite state, and they have already determined the borders of their country in the region. They receive support from Russia. The Alawite people are heading towards establishing a country, because Sunnis would kill all of them if they remained under the control of Sunnis. This is not a joke, it a sure thing. Even if they had to kill the half of Syria, Alawites would not surrender. They are ready to destroy every region out of control, and they have already been doing so. Because they do not want a country behind to resist against themselves. The form of state also started to become clear, because they do not fight against Christians, Druses and Kurds. They only fight against Sunnis.
ORSAM: What is the general strategy of Kurdish parties in Syria on this subject?
MAHMOUD ARABO: Even though they do not explicitly state, they want a decentralized federation as in Iraq.
ORSAM: Do all Kurdish parties within the Syrian Kurdish National Council agree with this strategy?
MAHMOUD ARABO: The majority of parties agree with the idea, but some of them have different strategies. On the other hand, in addition to parties, the entire population also support this strategy. It is not possible for us to accept to live under the control of Arabs again. They have ruined our lives for 70 years. I could not have a passport.
ORSAM: Would Kurds prefer to live together with Sunnis, if an Alawite state were established?
MAHMOUD ARABO: If Syria were divided, we would leave Syria. The division of the country is neither up to us, not up to Alawites, nor up to Sunnis. It would be as a result of an international politics.
ORSAM: An Agreement was signed not long ago between PYD and Kurdish National Council in Erbil. Following this agreement, armed Kurdish groups seized the control of some Kurdish regions, and then we observed that a conflict occurred between Kurdish National Council and PYD despite the agreement. What can you say about the relations between PYD and Kurdish National Council?
MAHMOUD ARABO: The Kurdish parties in Syria are traditionally in favor of peace. We are a civilian, civilized and peaceful party. We might be considered as a cultural school. As Syrian Kurds, we have been through cultural revolution. PYD is a military party and they think militarily as well. They do not agree with other opinions. Therefore, a contradiction took place between PYD and Syrian National Council. We asked for help from the Kurdistan Regional Government. “It does not work like this, we do not want a war among Kurds,” we said to Kandil. Especially the President of KRG and Erbil agreed to mediate. Then Erbil Agreement was signed between PYD and Kurdish National Council. We formed a joint Kurdish committee called 'Kurdish High Council'. It weakened the possibility of a potential conflict among Kurds, and paved the way for a cooperation. PYD should basically be a Kurdish party of Syria. We can never let PYD attack against another country. We do not want to create hostility in neighboring countries. “We are on the same side, we can talk on Turkey if you want,” PYD said. We have joint commissions and we provide security in this way. Because there is an authority vacuum in the country. Besides, we provide various services for the people. Currently, everything is normal between PYD and other Kurdish parties.
ORSAM: How are the relations between Syrian opposition and Syrian Kurdish National Council? Syrian National Council and Syrian Kurdish National Council did not act in unison. They cannot agree on certain points. What were the problems between the two groups that they could not act in unison? Is it possible that these problems might be overcome in the forthcoming period? At which point can the parties agree?
MAHMOUD ARABO: SNC and KNC have the same objectives and programs. We talked to them in Cairo and İstanbul for several times. We could not reach an agreement. As for the reasons; they consider us as Syrian citizens with Kurdish culture. They do not accept that we are the people who live in our own territories. They ignore the Kurdish geography in Syria. They want to treat us as an ordinary citizen. We will continue to live in our territories as a population. Our territories are divided, and some of them are under the control of Syria. We have the right to determine our own destiny. We live as we like within the Syrian borders. We will designate the regime, not Arabs. However, they do not accept our suggestions. Currently, the talks with them still continue to reach a mutual solution. Important talks will take place between the two Councils during the following two weeks. Because we have to cooperate. SNC cannot to anything without Kurds. Because Europe and the U.S. do not recognize SNC as the legitimate representative of the people without Kurds. Currently we continue our talks, and we are hopeful about a common solution.
ORSAM: Turkish Foreign Minister Davutoğlu recently paid a visit to Erbil. A meeting was held with the participation of Syrian Kurdish parties in Erbil. Could you briefly inform us about the results of the meeting?
MAHMOUD ARABO: As Syrian Kurds, we were quite pleased with the meeting. A friendly and positive talk was held between SNC, KNC, Turkey's Foreign Minister, and Kurdistan Regional Government. Mr. Davutoğlu was very sincere and friendly. We want these talks to continue and prevent any problem with Turkey, because both parties would be damaged to a large extent if hostility occurred. Turkey has to recognize the presence Kurdish people. It is high time Turkey understood that Kurds need to be accorded their rights. Otherwise, we might be damaged, but Turkey would be damaged hundred times more. But if Turkey recognized us, and also recognized the Kurdish population in the country, Turkey might become a super power. Thus, the hostility between Kurds and Turks which dates back to history would come to an end. We are not people who kill people as a hobby, we only aim at protecting our rights. We can live in tolerance with Arabs, Turks, Persians without any problem. But it is possible only under equal conditions.
ORSAM: One of the major actors of the Kurdish problem in Syria is Iraq's Kurdistan Regional Government. KNC is organized in Erbil. There is a refugee camp in Domis right now, and more than ten thousand Syrian Kurdish refugees stay there. Thus, the regional government support the people. What can you tell about the role of Kurdistan Government on this issue?
MAHMOUD ARABO: We are friendly towards Iraq's Kurdistan Regional Government. As Syrian Kurds, our feelings towards the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government is the same as the feelings of Turks in Cyprus towards Turkey. We regard Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government as the closest friend to us. Mr. President Barzani is a biggest guarantee of the the rights of Kurds. He is also a very moderate person himself. Besides, he is recognized by Turkey, Europe and the U.S. as well. Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government is the guarantee of Syrian Kurds. On the other hand, Barzani is also the one who would be resorted to in solving potential conflicts among Kurds. Barzani might assume role in normalization of relations in potential conflicts between Syrian Kurds and Turkey. Therefore, Barzani is the guarantee for the Kurdish case. We believe that Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government will assume historical roles in solution of many problems in the Middle East. Particularly, it would assume a historical role in solution of the problems of Kurds in Turkey and Syria.
ORSAM: Thank you.
