In Response to Turkish Moves, Syrian Kurds Seek Gulf Cooperation
Cairo: Hani Kamal El-Din
The Autonomous Administration in Northeast Syria, controlled by Kurdish factions with US support, has announced intentions to enhance ties with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The transitional administration aims to increase its diplomatic presence in GCC member states amidst escalating regional tensions. This move comes amid Turkish threats of a ground operation and ongoing discussions in the US regarding the withdrawal of American forces from Syria.
Mahmoud Meslat, co-chair of the Syrian Kurdish political council, disclosed plans for closer engagement with Gulf nations. “We are working on opening diplomatic missions in the GCC, in fraternal Arab countries, and in some other countries,” he stated. Meslat emphasized the interconnectedness between Northeast Syria and the Arab states, underscoring the necessity to avoid isolation from the Arab world. Contacts have already been established with key players such as Iraq, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, according to Meslat, offering potential avenues for resolving the Syrian crisis.
These diplomatic efforts by the Kurds coincide with heightened discussions in the US regarding the withdrawal model for American troops from Syria. The issue is among the priorities discussed behind closed doors in major Washington think tanks, regardless of the outcome of the upcoming presidential elections.
Turkish readiness to launch a ground operation in northern Syria adds urgency to the Kurds’ diplomatic maneuvers. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently declared intentions to expand Turkish influence in the region, aiming to establish a “safe zone” up to 30-40 kilometers deep by summer.
Previous interactions between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), controlling northeastern Syria, and GCC countries indicate a history of engagement. Saudi Foreign Minister Thamer al-Sabhan previously visited the autonomous region to discuss infrastructure reconstruction plans. Riyadh has invested in aid programs initiated by the US State Department for the autonomy. Additionally, SDF delegations have held talks in Saudi Arabia, indicating the kingdom’s interest in countering other major players vying for influence in northeastern Syria.
Given the ethnic tensions in the region, a stronger Gulf presence in northeastern Syria could hold significance. Arab tribes opposing Kurdish dominance have familial ties with tribes in GCC countries, suggesting that delegating certain issues in northeastern Syria to GCC players could alleviate tensions.
Following the restoration of diplomatic relations between the GCC countries and Turkey in recent years, the interference of the Persian Gulf in the affairs of the autonomous administration of northeast Syria has been significantly reduced. Ankara openly calls on its partners in the region not to provide assistance to the DSS, which it considers a terrorist “brand”. Perhaps Meslat’s statement reflects the confidence of the autonomous Kurdish administration that the competition between Ankara and the Arabian capitals for spheres of influence has reduced its degree, but has not completely disappeared.
Moreover, the Gulf countries, against the backdrop of the military and humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, turned out to be a more valuable player than Turkey: the United States is conducting negotiations on the post-conflict structure of the enclave mainly with Arabian players.
“Despite Turkey’s vested interests in reconciliation with the Gulf states and deepening regional ties, potential belligerence from its Middle Eastern partners could force Turkey to respond in kind,” said an analyst from the Arab Center in Washington. “Turkey’s history of rapid abandonment of conciliatory efforts as seen in the vicissitudes of its relations with Israel in recent decades, shows that its pragmatic approach is shaped by both domestic and regional dynamics.”
