Thomas von der Osten-Sacken

Here is more evidence supporting our argument about the Barzani–al-Sharaa axis: the Barzani-backed Syrian Kurdish KNC, in coordination with Syrian government authorities in Afrin, is set to organise a public convoy of returnees to the Kurdish pocket in Aleppo that the Syrian government has taken from SDF-backed forces recently. Barzani’s phone call with al-Sharaa makes the dynamic clearer. Barzani-aligned groups are being normalised in Syrian government-held areas, giving them room to position themselves as the primary, channel of Kurdish representation there. In return, Damascus can point to their presence as proof of inclusiveness. This matters because the Kurdish population in Afrin, Aleppo, and other government-held areas is likely in the hundreds of thousands and could exceed one million, making it a sizeable constituency. It is also worth noting that Barzani Charity has been granted access by the Syrian authorities in Afrin, particularly in relation to the more than 150,000 Kurds who fled Aleppo during the recent clashes, many of whom are originally from Afrin. For Barzani, the calculation appears straightforward: he can argue that he is helping Kurds return to their areas. Some reports now suggest that Afrin is again more than 70 percent Kurdish after many Arabs returned to their home areas following Assad’s fall. In Barzani’s view, this both expands his influence and helps reverse the displacement of Kurds from these districts. For Damascus, the benefit is arguably even greater: it gains a ready-made narrative of inclusion by allowing Kurdish organisations aligned with Barzani to operate under its authority.

»Wir sind als erster Landesverband antizionistisch!« – Die LAG Palästinasolidarität der niedersächsischen Linkspartei feiert ihren Erfolg auf dem Landesparteitag am vergangenen Wochenende

A Lebanese message to the world: This is NOT OUR WAR 🇱🇧 By Saleh Machnouk