PYD (Democratic Union Party) Presidential Council Member Salih Muslim stated that the Kurdish question is a Middle Eastern issue and that the problems in the Middle East cannot be solved without solving it. “The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria is a party and part of the solution. To harbour enmity would be to ignore the facts,” he said.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) took control of Hama after Aleppo following the withdrawal of the Syrian army and entered Homs yesterday. Turkey's coalition of Turkmen, Uyghur and Arab gangs called the Syrian National Army (SNA) also attacked Shehba and Til Rifet regions, where more than 200 thousand people live. Most of the citizens who were forced to migrate due to the attacks were settled in the Tabqa and Reqa regions. The Turkish army and SNA are bombarding the villages of Manbij and trying to infiltrate the region. Clashes are taking place between the Manbij and Tabqa Military Council and Turkish gangs. When ISIS, which already had a presence in the desert, started attacks and expanded its area, the SDF and the Deir ez-Zor Military Council intervened and advanced towards the Iraqi border.

Democratic Union Party (Partiya Yekîtiya Demokrat, PYD) Presidential Council Member Salih Muslim answered ANF's questions about the latest developments and the situation of the parties.

What does the new situation, which started with the attacks on Aleppo on 27 November, mean?

These attacks are being carried out by HTS, formerly known as al-Nusra. The SNA also took part in it. The HTS is organised and disciplined in itself, while the SNA are mercenary gangs formed by the Turkish state and fed by Kurdish hostility. They take orders from the Turkish state. There are many groups among them, but they are all gangs. These two groups launched an attack together, but it is the HTS that controls and manages them.

Who is fighting whom? Are new alliances being formed?

Russia, Hezbollah and Iran represent one front. On the other hand, HTS represents a front. HTS has good relations with the Turkish state. The other side of the war is us, the Syrian dynamics acting together with the Autonomous Administration.

Under the current conditions, is there a possibility of ISIS to mobilise again in the region?

Of course, as soon as the attacks began, they started their attacks. They captured villages and areas in the eastern parts of Homs. They are also expanding where they are. They were already in the desert. They are a threat to us because they are on our direct border. In this case, our forces will expand up to Deir ez-Zor.

If the equation in Syria evolves into a new administration and shaping, will the HTS take a position? Is there any change in your views towards HTS?

Since the beginning of the war in Syria, everyone has been talking about a political solution. Until now, the Kurds have been kept away from the search for a solution because the Turkish state has been in the leading role. No solution could be produced because the Kurds did not sit at the table with the Turkish state. Now the situation is changing. HTS is producing different discourses. If HTS changes in practice and is not under the command of the Turkish state, we can sit at a table and talk. HTS talks about unity by learning from its mistakes in 2012 or the past. It points to different identities both religiously and ethnically from Syria's formations. According to most interpretations and assessments, a federal system consisting of three sides is envisaged in Syria. There is talk of a Sunni region in the west, a Kurdish region and a federal system formed by the regime. I do not know how much it will be realised, but it is clear that there will definitely be a new era.

Are there any meetings or contacts between you and HTS?

There are some meetings through intermediaries and the Coalition. We had talks in Aleppo to prevent clashes in Kurdish neighbourhoods. There are such contacts and they say that they do not intend to attack us, but we do not know what will happen in the future.

There are those who say that these attacks are due to the weakening of Iran and Russia, but there is also a claim of an international agreement involving Russia. What do you think is going on?

I think a well-prepared plan is being talked about. As soon as the Gaza war started, everyone predicted that new developments would follow. It is the beginning of the establishment of the Greater Middle East. They will establish it. The balances will change in the new Middle East. I think the latest developments show this. Israel has dealt great blows to HAMAS and Hezbollah. It has designed Lebanon. Now they want to design Syria.

What impact does Israel have on the latest developments in Syria?

Not directly, but Israel is a great power. For example, the biggest reason for the fall of Aleppo is the weakening of Hezbollah. This is the result of Israel's attacks. Inevitably, there is a connection between those attacks and the current situation.

How do you evaluate the position of Iran and Russia, the other two powers that come to mind when Syria is mentioned?

Iran was always talking about expansion and Islamic conquests. Now I think it will return to its own borders.

What about Russia?

I don't know, but it's expensive for Russia to get up and fight for others. Ukraine has already pushed them too hard. Surely, they will have to review their relations with Turkey as a result of the blackmail policy conducted by Turkey.

What do you think are the plans of the USA?

This is what we call the Greater Middle East Project. This is a NATO project and the USA is at the head of it.

How will the relations between the Autonomous Administration and the USA and Russia be shaped with the new situation?

How it will be shaped depends on their attitude. There are some facts; until now, no solution has been found because the Kurds have been kept away from the solution discussions. Now they will be forced to do so, and the Kurds will be taken into account in the solution. Secondly, it has been realised that the Kurdish question is a Middle Eastern issue. Without solving the Kurdish question, the problems in the Middle East cannot be solved. Therefore, everyone realised that they have to solve it. The Autonomous Administration is a party and part of the solution. To harbour enmity would be to ignore the facts. Kurds are a part of Syria and want a solution. They are not hostile to anyone. From now on, they should act rationally and accept this reality and coexistence. Turkey should do this the most. 

Will the Astana talks continue?

I do not think the Astana talks will continue. We were invited before the Astana table was set up, but Turkey's games spoiled everything. Astana took a different path. It turned in another direction and this is what happened in the end. If things had worked as had been discussed at the beginning, there could have been a solution. I do not think it will last from now on.

What about the SDF's presence west of the Euphrates? How is the latest situation in Manbij and Deir ez-Zor?

Manbij is already an Autonomous Administration region. It should not be confused with Aleppo or Til Rifet. Our forces will defend Manbij.

What do you think is the solution to this crisis?

As soon as the revolution in Syria began, we embraced the values of the revolution. We defended the democratic nation paradigm as a solution. We organised ourselves accordingly. We established the Autonomous Administration in which all beliefs and peoples took part. We set an example in terms of co-existence. Other parties did not accept this. The Turkish state was at the forefront of these. They imposed war and this war has continued until now. We resisted this and now everyone has realised that our project is valid. Of course, self-defence is very important for us. We are also doing this. We are strengthening our self-defence. We have put forward an important practice for oppressed peoples. I think the social contract we have created is an important example.