Weysi Dag (Çiya)@dagweysi
One of the significant outcomes of the "terror-free Turkey" process, as implemented by the Turkish government, has been the prevention of the emergence of Kurdish actors in the Middle East amidst the turmoil following the October 7 atrocities. Furthermore, Turkey’s direct and indirect actions have led to the collapse of Rojava as an autonomous entity, deepened the fragmentation among Kurdish groups in Iraq to weaken their collective position and ignite intra-Kurdish conflict, hindered the ability of Kurds in Iran to play an active role in challenging the Iranian regime, and contributed to a sense of apathy among Kurds in Turkey, further marginalizing them. Turkey has tried to win its war against the Kurds without fighting and has been successful so far.
By presenting the Kurdish issue as a domestic problem and effectively managing it, which has long been a central concern in Turkish politics, the Turkish state has expanded its influence in the Middle East and restored or forged new alliances with states such as Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan. In contrast, the Kurds in various regions have faced significant setbacks: the Kurds in Syria have lost the chance for self-determination and political status in Rojava; Kurds in Iraq are concerned about their political survival and local power; Kurds in Iran remain active targets of Mullah repression; and the Kurds in Turkey continue to await legislative changes by the Turkish regime, which, in my opinion, will never happen. The Kurds still believe that the Turks will change their conventional anti-Kurdish approach and instead recognize and respect Kurdish rights. However, the denial of Kurdish identity is a pillar of the Republic of Turkey, and without this pillar, Turkey does not have a future. It is only the Kurds who can eliminate this pillar, but not in the way they behave now.
One possible explanation for these outcomes is that Kurdish actors failed to understand the ramifications of the October 7 events fully. They also did not reflect on their previous experiences with Turkey or recognize the shifting dynamics at play. Instead, they have often placed their hopes and strategies in the hands of an individual, who remains effectively hostage to the Turkish state. Moreover, Kurdish actors could have struggled to build strong alliances, create an alternative path to Turkey’s imposed policy, and establish a more assertive diplomacy at the center of regional and international power.