Turkey's quest for sovereignty in the Federated Kurdistan Region

2022-03-30 12:06:19


	 

	HEWLER - Having failed in the military operation it launched against the Federated Kurdistan Region for nearly a year, Turkey is now seeking to expand the operation with the help of the KDP, which has sent its special forces to 87 points, and to establish dominance in the region through possible conflicts.

	 

	The military operation launched by Turkey on April 23, 2021 against the Zap, Metîna and Avaşîn regions of the Federated Kurdistan Region has been going on for about a year. Despite a year has passed, the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) could not get the result it wanted in the operation carried out with the support of the special forces affiliated with the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). The special forces affiliated with the KDP, the Roj Peshmerga under the control of the KDP and the groups affiliated with the Free Syrian Army (FSA) could not make any progress in the operation, and the TAF had to withdraw from most of the places it deployed its forces.

	 

	The stalemate in the operation, which has been going on for nearly a year, intensified the diplomatic traffic between Ankara and Hewler. Following the meetings between Defense Minister Hulusi Akar and MIT Undersecretary Hakan Fidan in the Federated Kurdistan Region, Federated Kurdistan Regional Administration President Nêçîrvan Barzani met with President Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara. It was noted that with this continued traffic between Ankara and Hewler, special forces affiliated with the KDP were dispatched to the aforementioned regions in order to give full support to Turkey.

	 

	KDP DEPLOYED FORCES TO 87 POINTS IN THE REGION

	 

	It is expected that Turkey, which could not get any results from the military attacks on the Metina, Avaşîn and Zap regions, which will complete its one year on the 23rd of next month, will expand the scope of the operation and increase the attacks in cooperation with the KDP. It was learned that the KDP, which deployed its Gulan and Zêrewanî Forces and Roj Peshmerga in the Heftanîn region about 10 days ago, aimed to establish military points and the shipment was not limited to Heftanîn. KDP's special forces and mercenaries backed by AKP-MHP were established at 87 military points, established in areas close to Heftanîn and Metîna regions, as well as in an area from Sheladize to Habur Suyu, from the border camp in Kanîmasî to Bradost and Hacı Umran. It was learned that the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) personnel were also deployed to the points established under the leadership of the First Commander of the Peshmerga Support Force, Sihan Barzani, especially in Bradost, Lelikan and its environs.

	 

	SPECIAL MISSION FOR ROJ PESHMERGES

	 

	It is stated that the KDP, which actively supported Turkey's operation with the Zêrewanî, Gulan and Roj Peshmerga forces, received reactions from the people of the region, and even from the families of those who took part in these forces. It is stated that a new task has now been given to the Roj Peshmerga, it now clears mines, ambushes the Kurdish Freedom Movement forces and gathers intelligence before the TAF enters the area. It was stated that about two months ago, a group under the command of Ozan Heci Iso, one of the Roj Peshmerga Commanders, moved to the 172nd Armored Brigade Command in Cizre district of Şırnak. It is stated that the task of these forces is to prevent protest actions on the border lines of the peoples of the Federated Kurdistan Region and Northern and Eastern Syria, and by positioning themselves on the border line extending from Zaho to Shengal line against participation in the PKK, with a wide-ranging attack to be launched.

	 

	BARZANI'S VISITS TO DUHOK

	 

	Minister of Defense Hulusi Akar said that while Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu held meetings with the KDP Politburo members three times in both Şırnak and Duhok as well as meeting with the governor and special forces and that they visited President Mesrur Barzani even it was not in their program. It was learned that Prime Minister Masrour Barzani visited the city of Duhok 3 times. It was stated that during Barzani's visits, secret meetings were held with those in charge of the Peshmerge Commando Forces and Zêrewanî Forces, and he visited the military points formed on the line extending to Sheladize and Akrê with a team of Peshmerge Commando Forces and Zêrewanî Forces officials.

	 

	KDP WILL DIRECTLY PARTICIPATE IN THE OPERATIONS

	 

	The possible wide-ranging attack, which is the reason for all this meeting and visit traffic, is considered as the KDP's pursuit for active involvement. It was learned that Turkey, not content with the direct participation of the KDP in the possible operation, seeks to include other parties in the government in order to reduce the reactions.

	 

	TURKEY EFFORTS TO PERSUADE THE USA

	 

	It is stated that President Tayyip Erdogan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' desire to meet with the United States lately is for the purpose of approval for the operation to be held on the pretext of the war in Ukraine. It is noted that Mesut, Nêçîrvan and Mesrur Barzani are also involved for this approval. In the one-to-one and phone conversations with the US officials, it was stated that the KDP rather than Turkey tried to persuade the US, while the US, which is seeking to distance the Federated Kurdistan Region and the Northern and Eastern Syria Autonomous Administration from the PKK, is likely to give its approval.

	 

	MA / Erdogan Altan