'Is This Kurdish–Turkish Brotherhood?' Opinion Article Warns Ankara Is Derailing Talks and Endangering Kurds
In a sharply worded opinion published by the pro-Kurdish outlets Yeni Özgür Politika and Fırat News Agency, commentator Zeki Akıl voices deep alarm over the trajectory of the dialogue process between the Kurdish side and the Turkish state, accusing Ankara of undermining a viable political settlement in Syria and placing Kurds at heightened risk.
"Is this what Kurdish–Turkish brotherhood looks like?" Akıl asks, arguing that if Kurds are truly regarded as "brothers," their security should be guaranteed rather than bargained away. He contends that statements from Ankara and actions on the ground contradict any notion of fraternity, amounting instead to a continuation of "classic enmity" toward Kurds.
Akıl alleges that Turkey is intervening heavily in Syria's internal affairs at a moment he describes as a historic opening for a democratic re-foundation after the collapse of Ba'athist rule. He claims Ankara is throwing its weight behind Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)—an al-Qaeda offshoot opposed to democratic governance—thereby extinguishing the democratic option and deepening instability. Despite HTS's limited reach and contested legitimacy, Akıl says Turkey is working to keep the group afloat and expand its influence.
Citing two recent massacres he attributes to HTS—targeting Alawites and Druze—Akıl argues that these atrocities have further eroded trust among Syria's communities and the international public. He accuses Ankara of backing HTS's actions and failing even to issue a symbolic condemnation.
Akıl points to a March 10 understanding reportedly reached between Damascus and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), under which Kurds would be recognized as a constituent people of Syria and their status would be placed under constitutional protection. Yet, he says, a subsequent HTS-drafted interim constitution omitted any reference to Kurdish rights. He charges that HTS has excluded Kurds and other social groups from governance, asserting that Turkey advised and supported this approach in line with National Security Council preferences for a centralized, unitary Syrian state.
Efforts to revive talks between Damascus and the SDG/Autonomous Administration have faltered, according to Akıl. A meeting in Damascus mediated by businessman Tom Barrack collapsed, with plans to reconvene in Paris under third-party auspices. Akıl claims Turkey opposed outside participation, pressured the Syrian government to pull out, and sought to prevent any agreement likely to be binding in the presence of international observers—especially one that might favor the Autonomous Administration.
The article also alleges that Turkish diplomacy has shifted into high gear, with Turkey's foreign minister visiting Damascus and Syrian foreign and defense officials brought to Ankara. Akıl interprets these moves as part of a bid to keep HTS standing, treat Syria as a de facto "backyard," and extract supportive declarations and agreements.
By contrast, Akıl portrays the SDG and the Autonomous Administration as consistently advocating a political solution and seeking inclusion in Syria's reconstruction and governance, offering to share what he calls their democratic experience. He says Damascus has refused to include them in the political process—just as it has sidelined Alawites, Druze, and other organized constituencies.
Akıl criticizes recent statements from the Turkish foreign minister blaming and threatening the SDG, accusing it of stalling unity efforts while Ankara pledges support for "counterterrorism." He questions whom Turkey designates as terrorists, noting the activities of groups such as Emşat and Hamzat, which he alleges are involved in looting and killings and have ties to Turkey, yet are not labeled terrorists by Ankara. In practice, he argues, the "terrorist" label is applied to Kurds and the SDG.
According to Akıl, the SDGs' core demand is legal and constitutional guarantees. He says the SDG is prepared to join the Syrian army and remain locally as a security guarantor until such guarantees are secured, insisting its sole military role is the protection of local communities. He challenges Ankara's assertion of urgent "security concerns," asking what genuine threat the SDG poses to Turkey.
The piece concludes that Turkey is steering Syria toward uncertainty to block any settlement that includes Kurds and their institutions, while threatening the Autonomous Administration with demands to capitulate to HTS. For Akıl, this posture demonstrates that declarations of Kurdish–Turkish "brotherhood" ring hollow without concrete guarantees for Kurdish security and rights.