The Kurds’ resistance in Kobanê to the attacks of ISIS is now in its 20th day. The resistance has further legitimised the legitimacy of the Kurds internationally. Dr. Erdem Yörük, from the Department of Sociology at Koç University, evaluated the reverberations of the resistance in Kobanê and the stance of the AKP government as regards the process of resolution following the passage of the bill authorising military action.

Academic Dr. Erdem Yörük has said the resistance in Kobanê has legitimised the Kurdish movement both in the process of resolution and on the international stage, and put pressure on the AKP government, causing it to take unsure steps. He added that in the event of Kobanê surviving, the AKP would have to compromise in its Kurdish policy.

“Firstly, I think the AKP government is in its weakest and most problematic position of recent times,” said Yörük, adding that the AKP had no choice but to pass the bill authorising military action. He added that the government, which had taken conservative, independent steps since the beginning of the war in Syria, had had to make concessions to imperialist powers.

‘When AKP’s Rojava policy failed, it took weak steps’  

Yörük said the AKP government had been unable to subjugate the Kurdish freedom movement, adding: “All the government’s clashes with capital and with the Gülen movement and Gezi weakened its hand against the Kurds and the US. In this context, the AKP government used ISIS to suppress the revolution in Rojava. When ISIS became a threat to the imperialist powers they established the coalition. Turkey did not want to be part of it, but when the US applied pressure the government had no choice.”

'The Kurds spoiled the game'

Yörük said the AKP was trying to maximise its interests, adding: “the government is bargaining, saying ‘allow ISIS to finish off the Rojava revolution and we’ll take steps.’ The resistance in Rojava is important. If Rojava fell, Turkey’s plans would succeed, but Rojava has frustrated these plans. With the coalition now hitting ISIS in addition to the resistance, Turkey’s plans are in the mire.”

Yörük added that the Kurdish movement’s statements to the effect that the process would be over if Rojava fell had pressurised the AKP government, adding:  “The AKP is not behaving rationally. It is making up policy as it goes along. With the prolonged resistance in Rojava, the Kurdish movement is getting stronger in the global arena.”

'Kobanê will determine the ultimate end of the process’

Yörük said the current situation was chaotic, adding: “if Kobanê falls, Turkey’s opportunity to occupy Kobanê and establish a buffer zone will be much reduced. After the invasion of Cyprus, this would be called a second invasion. Even in the bourgeois media the Kurds and women fighters have gained legitimacy. In such a situation I do not think they would risk an occupation. If they tried there would be resistance in both Kobanê and within Turkey. It could mean the end of the AKP government. Consequently, if Kobanê survives, the AKP will have to compromise. If Kobanê was to fall I think the AKP would come to the point of invasion on the pretext of ‘an operation against ISIS’.”