By Prof. Dr. Mehmet Şahin
For about a week, news of conflicts coming from the coastal cities of Latakia and Tartus in Syria had led to questions such as “Is Syria being dragged into another civil war? Will Syria’s integrity not be preserved?”
At a time when pessimistic scenarios about Syria and the region were being brought up due to the conflict news, and disaster scenarios were being discussed, news came of an eight-article agreement between Syrian President Ahmet Şara and SDF leader Ferhat Abdi Şahin that prioritized Syria’s integrity and paved the way for the SDF’s participation in the Syrian army.
So, what does the agreement mean?
Let’s write down what we understand in points:
1. The separatist structure that was intended to be established in northern Syria and found support from some states has collapsed.
2. It has been seen that the “Terror-Free Turkey” initiative launched by Turkey also means “Terror-Free Zone”.
3. The most important armed and supported organizational structure that stood in the way of Syria’s integrity has agreed to be a part of “New Syria.” The biggest obstacle to unity and integrity has been overcome.
4. It has been understood that Öcalan’s statement **”…convene your congress and make a decision; all groups must lay down their arms and the PKK must dissolve itself”** also covers PYD/YPG/SDG.
5. We have witnessed another result of Turkey’s constructive power’s regional effects.
6. The destructive, disruptive, confusing, sowing discord, and poisoning initiatives of Iran and Israel have suffered a major blow. They have experienced their second major loss in Syria after the change of government.
7. The destructive and divisive political strategy that seriously affected the region and was put into effect under the pretext of ISIS has been reversed. The excuse of ISIS has largely disappeared.
8. The “Lebanonization” project that was tried to be created in Syria has suffered a major blow. This situation is stated in the first article of the agreement:
**”Ensuring the rights of all Syrians in representation and participation in the political process, and building state institutions based on competence and merit, regardless of their religious and ethnic origins,”** emphasizing that the country’s institutions will not be determined according to sectarian/religious and ethnic structures as in Lebanon.
In the fourth article of the agreement, it states:
**”Integrating all civil and military institutions in Northeastern Syria, including border crossings, airports, and oil and gas fields, into the administration of the Syrian state”** and in the seventh article **”Rejecting calls for division, hate speech, and attempts to create discord among all components of Syrian society,”** it is seen that structures such as “Federation” and “Autonomy,” which have been frequently mentioned since the beginning of the civil war in Syria, will not be allowed.
It is accepted that Syria’s natural resources will be used for all Syrians.
It is emphasized that the new constitution to be written in the coming period should include all segments of society. It is emphasized that the rights of the Kurds, who were not even given identity cards under the Assad administration, will be taken under constitutional protection. This situation is expressed in the second article of the agreement as follows:
**”Accepting the Kurdish community as an original community in the Syrian state and guaranteeing their citizenship rights and constitutional rights by the Syrian state.”**
It is useful to look at the bright side. In a region and time where there is constant news of conflict, separation, attacks, and massacres, the news of an agreement that provides integrity, ends the conflict, and prevents proxy wars is like giving water to a thirsty desert/land. Not only Syria but also regional states and societies will benefit from the positive developments that will occur, except for those who disrupt order and feed on blood.
Now is the time to see what is written in the articles in practice.
We’ll wait and see…
Source: Haber7.com
