Syrian Kurds Defeat Islamists, Declare Autonomy

[Jesus Malverde]

Source: Voice of America

The most powerful Kurdish faction in Syria has declared self-rule over the territory it controls in the northeast of the country. The announcement further complicates the civil war in Syria, and presents a complex problem for neighboring Turkey and the autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government in northern Iraq.

In recent weeks, Kurdish militia in Syria have ousted Islamist fighters from several villages close to the Turkish border.

The victories prompted the main political group of Syria's Kurds, known as the PYD, to declare autonomy.

At a press conference in Paris this week, the head of the PYD Saleh Muslim discussed why the Kurds were able to defeat the Islamists.

“Because in the end, they are fighting for money, as I mentioned. There are about 3,000 people killed from them. At the beginning, they were strong, but now they are not strong enough," said Muslim.


Read more: http://www.voanews.com/content/syrian-kurds-defeat-islamists-declare-autonomy/1790504.html

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It would be ironic if Edrogan turned out to be one of the catalysts for an emerging Kurdish state.

[underpants]

1. Great for them but HOLY CRAP !!- The Kurds are some bad....m...f'ers

there are 4 countries who want no part of Kurd autonomy - Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey.

The Kurds have been suppressed for centuries but then...the got tanks. Losing the tank that the Kurds took away from them was the second worst thing that happened to that tank crew on that day.

BAD news those Kurds. They know how to fight. They also have an incredible cultural history.



I wish them well.

[hollowdweller]

2. Weird

How everybody in that area loves the Palestinians and wants them to have land yet hates the Kurds.

[7962]

4. It's simple. Because the Kurds dont want Israel

Also weird how Palestinians still live in camps in Jordan and Lebanon but nobody raises any hell about that. Or that none of Israel's neighbors are willing to pony up a few square miles of land to help make them a country.

[Jesus Malverde]

8. Not sure what your on about but there has been a long history of cooperation

between the Kurds and Israel.

Massoud Barzani, president of Iraqi Kurdistan and leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, said in 2005 that "establishing relations between the Kurds and Israel is not a crime since many Arab countries have ties with the Jewish state.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli%E2%80%93Kurdish_relations

[7962]

10. Yes, thats just more reason that so many DONT like them (Kurds), while embracing the Plaestinians

The Post I was responding thought it was odd that so many countries disliked the Kurds but loved the Palestinians.
Your info about the Kurds having relations with Israel is another reason to dislike them; for some Arabs.
I've never read of the Kurds calling for the destruction of Israel.

[Jesus Malverde]

11. sounds like your confused about the region...peace...nt

[cosmicone]

3. If every ethnic group that wants its own country

had its way, the world would have 1,728,563 countries.

It is far better to live in multicultural, secular, multi-ethnic societies rather than have a separate country. This is what makes the US and India special where diversity is the norm and strength comes from diversity.

I doubt the Syrian Kurds would enjoy their autonomy much longer.

[daleo]

5. It's an old argument

Were people better off under the Austro-Hungarian Empire? The British Empire? The Romans? I won't claim to be sure. There are arguments and counter-arguments.

[cqo_000]

6. President Barzani Slams PYD in Syria, Rejects Autonomy Declaration

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani accused the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) in Syria of “autocracy,” and rejected its unilateral declaration of independence in Syria’s Kurdish northeast.


He said the PYD was missing “a golden opportunity” by trying to hurriedly seize unilateral control over the Syrian Kurdish areas, or Rojava.


“This is autocracy and marginalization of the other Kurdish parties in Rojava.” Barzani said in a statement. “We only support the steps that have the consensus of all Kurdish parties in Rojava,” he added. “We refuse to deal with unilateral actions.”


On Tuesday, the PYD leadership announced an interim government over Syria’s Kurdish areas in the northeast. It said Kurdish, Arab and Christian leaders had agreed to turn Rojava into three semi-independent provincial areas, within a larger Kurdish autonomy in the northeast.

http://rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/14112013

[cqo_000]

7. Kurdish Declaration of Autonomy in Syria Rejected by Turkey, Larger Opposition

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Turkey rejected a unilateral declaration of autonomy over Syria’s Kurdish lands by the country’s dominant Kurdish group, while the larger opposition representing the Kurds said the move was an “anti-revolution and supportive of” the Damascus regime.


On Tuesday, leaders of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) announced an interim government over Syria’s Kurdish areas in the northeast. It said Kurdish, Arab and Christian leaders had agreed to turn Syrian Kurdistan – or Rojava – into three semi-independent provincial areas, within a larger Kurdish autonomy in the northeast.


“Such autonomy cannot be declared unilaterally," said Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmed Davutoglu on Turkey’s NTV.

Ankara believes that the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad is behind the PYD’s move for autonomy, aiming to create greater rifts within the Syrian opposition and undermine Ankara’s efforts to unite the opposition.

http://rudaw.net/english/middleeast/syria/14112013

[Comrade Grumpy]

12. Uh, Turkey, Syria doesn't belong to you, even the Kurdish areas.

[bemildred]

9. Good. And it is very ironic. And predictable.

I'm surprised it took so long. I suppose all that Saudi money is part of why. Assad should thank them for helping save his butt.