After embarking on a peace process with Kurdish rebels in Turkey, Ankara is now softening its position on the increasingly autonomous Kurdish minority in war-torn neighbouring Syria, analysts say.
The Turkish government has long kept a wary eye on Kurdish ambitions in Syria, fearing the creation of a Kurdish state there could serve as a magnet for Turkey's own Kurdish population.
Ankara's unease only increased after Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces last year withdrew from majority Kurdish areas in the north of the embattled country and entrusted the security there to Kurdish militia.
At the time, Turkish newspapers published alarming pictures of Kurdish flags fluttering from buildings and reported that parts of the area had fallen into the hands of the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) or its Syrian branch, the Democratic Union Party (PYD).
But since then the Turkish government has signalled a willingness for dialogue with the PYD instead of viewing the group as a threat, observers say.
:Read more: Middle East Online::Syria conflict leaves Turkey no alternative: It’s either Kurds or Kurds:.
No comments:
Post a Comment