Liberal Party MP and Foreign Policy Spokesperson Fredrik Malm warned that Erdoğan could launch an attack on Rojava to get the votes of nationalist and chauvinist circles before the elections in Istanbul.

Recalling that the Turkish state has been attacking Southern Kurdistan for 15 years, Liberal Party MP and Foreign Policy Spokesperson Fredrik Malm said that the latest operation in which land forces were used might have something to do with the re-run of the elections in Istanbul on Sunday 23 June. 

Malm said that in recent days there were different signals from Turkey: “On one hand, reforms are made in the legal system, while on the other military operations are going on in South Kurdistan. Both things are done simultaneously. Turkey feels dependent on Russia in Syria. It does not know how to move against Russia and Assad regime.”

The Swedish MP said Erdoğan could attack Rojava. "There are four powerful actors in Syria. Russia, the U.S., Assad and Turkey. And among them there is a harsh debate about the future of Syria. In Idlib live 3 million people. Turkey is concerned about the influx of migrants from Idlib. It does not want Russia and Assad to attack Idlib.”

Turkey wants to end the system established in Rojava

Malm added: “Turkey wants to destroy the system built in Rojava. It may decide to attack Manbij. It may actually attack Rojava before the elections to be held in Istanbul on 23 June. The Turkish regime can do this to win the elections in Istanbul."

Answering a question about progress on freedom of expression and human rights in Turkey, Malm said: "Human rights and freedom of expression are in a terrible situation. There is no indication that they will improve. The new constitution grants unlimited powers to the President. Anyone can be caught and arrested at any moment in Turkey. This repression will eventually force many intellectuals and journalists to leave the country. Another important problem is the independent and opposition media which have been almost completely destroyed.”

Culture of silence spreading

Malm underlined that there is a serious increase of a “culture of silence. There are people who is critical of the President even in government sectors, but they are afraid to speak. People are worried about their own security.”

Malm said that removing the isolation of Kurdish People's Leader Öcalan is a positive step but is not a new peace process. "I think that Öcalan has a huge impact on his followers. But other factors need to be calculated. The most important being Erdoğan's alliance with Devlet Bahçeli and the MHP. They do not want a new peace process with the Kurds. Secondly Öcalan is a strong personality, he has control over his organization, but there are different branches and groups within the Kurds. And among there there may also be those who do not favour a new peace process."

New Terror Law risk

Malm drew attention to the Swedish Government new law against ISIS 'terrorist organizations' and the ban of participation and relationship with the national liberation movements and said this about how the law could affect the PKK. "There is a risk. Therefore, the adoption of this law was delayed. On the one hand, we want to protect Sweden against terrorism. On the other hand, we need to provide legal security. The problem stems from the European Union's failure to reconsider its list of terrorist organizations.”

The European Union and the United Nations, said Malm, “have lists of terrorist organizations. According to the current system, it is easy to remove the people and companies in these lists from the terror list. When Russia invaded Ukraine, some Russian companies were included in the terror list. But they were removed from the list because there was no evidence that they actually support the invasion. However it is very complicated to remove an organisation listed as a terrorist organization from that list. In fact, removing these organizations from the list is a political decision. But it requires court decisions to do so. I have always been skeptical about these lists being healthy."

If the law comes into force, Malm said the courts would consider the issue and decide which organizations would be considered as a 'terrorist organization’. “The first court decision will set an example. It's hard to predict how the court will decide. But for us, the trial of those who joined the ISIS ranks is important.”

Liberal Party of Sweden call on people to support Rojava

Malm called on the Swedish government and the international community to support the autonomous administration of Rojava.