Eurasiadiary Media Network interviewed the President of Syria Turkmen Assembly Abdurrahman Mustafa on the latest condition in Syria

-Firstly, let me ask this question: How do the incidents taken place in Syria affect our Turkmen friends living in this country?

-Firstly, I express my gratitude to the Eurasia Diary site on behalf of Syrian Turkmens for Azerbaijani media’s interest in and support of Syrian Turkmens.

The war occurring in Syria for 5 years mostly affects the Turkmens. The Turkmens are the most aggrieved people of this war. We are in the firing line created by ISID, PYD/YPG and regime forces.

Hama-Homs Turkmen regions have completely been exposed to ethnic cleansing by the Assad regime. The Turkmen region Aleppo has been under the control of the terrorist organisation ISID for 1.5 years, the Turkmens living in the Bair villages of Bair-Parish Turkmen region were forced to migrate, Parish region villages are under the regime’s control and under the unceasing barrel bomb attack; the control of the Turkmen region Raqqa has passed from ISID to the terrorist organisation PYD, the Turkmen region Damascus-Golan has been completely under the blockade of the regime for 2 years. Today consequently, Syrian Turkmens are in such a state that they cannot protect their assets and identities in their own territories. Their villages have been evacuated, they have been deprived of their lands. In the last period, it is possible to mention that the war is highly concentrated in the considerably strategic regions of Syria where Turkmens live and we are in the area where Turkmens are in the target. We have 35000 martyrs since the beginning of the war. Hundreds of thousands of Turkmens were obliged to leave their lands. Today the biggest threat is an attempt to change the demographic structure in the region. However, in spite of everything the Turkmens keep resisting to the last in order to stay in their own villages and lands. We called our case “”. For the sake of our dignity and freedom we unyieldingly carry on our struggle.

- As we know, Syria is a very sensitive region and a lot of countries have their own desires in this region; while considering these desires, beside whom do the Turkmens feel themselves secure?

Our only supporter is Turkey which we consider as our homeland. As we always express, Turkey is our guarantor. It is impossible to culturally separate 3.5 millions of Turkmens in Syria from Anatolian Turks. Our history, language, traditions and culture is the same.

Turkey does its utmost to support Syrian Turkmens. We always wish God bless Turkey. Turkey has always taken sides with Syrian Turkmens both in political and humanitarian sense.

- You are the head of Syrian Turkmen Assembly. Could you give us some information about this assembly?

The repressive policies of the Baath regime reigning in Syria for half century had prevented Turkmens’ politicisation. After the Arab Spring’s reflection on Syria Baath regime has turned Syrian Turkmens into a part of the strained relations with Turkey. The perception that considers Turkmens as the extension of Turkey has forced Turkmens to make a choice between the regime and opposition. With this mandatory preference, especially owing to the reason that they couldn’t take part in the politics in Syria, it has led to Turkmens’ slipping into the ranks of opposition, their rapid politicisation and active involvement in the armed struggle.

Syrian Turkmens, like all other  Syrian social groups did not have organizational experience and leader team. Initial efforts towards politicisation took place outside Syria as Arab opposition.

For the reasons such as geographical location, kinship ties, Syrian Turkmen diaspora's existence in Turkey for many years, and Turkey's support to the opposition, Turkey has become the center of efforts.

The initiatives were carried out by means of (through the agency of) the Turkmens migrating to Turkey and the Turkmens living in Turkey for many years. Since 2011 Syrian Turkmens have begun to establish political parties, though the achieved results weren't very successful. However, due to organisational and political inexperience the founded parties  couldn't achieve expected success.

In 2012, with the initiative of Syrian Turkmens living in Turkey the Syrian Turkmen Platform was established. The platform aims at establishing Syria Turkmen Assembly by means of the delegates to be elected from Syria so that they be the legitimate representative of the Syrian Turkmens and conduct all kinds of negotiations. This body is an initiative taken by the Syrian Turkmens living in Turkey for many years and taking their places in political and economic life of the country. Through this initiative more than 1,200 Syrian Turkmens met in Istanbul for the first time and put on the table their problems and the future.

As a result of this successful and well-organiesed initiative Syrian Turkmen Assembly was established on March 29, 2013 with the Ankara meeting attended by the 400 delegates, the former Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey  Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the former Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmet Davutoglu. Besides the high level of participation of the opposition parties in this historic meeting, Syrian opposition's full staff participation and the interest by the representatives of foreign countries has been a turning point in the history of Syrian Turkmens.

In order to carry out Fighting for Dignity and Freedom, Syrian Turkmen Assembly founded by the votes of the representatives of all Syrian Turkmens, proudly bears the distinction of being the first and only formation taking place in the Syrian opposition and formed with democratic elections.

Syrian Turkmen Assembly held its Second Plenary Meeting on May 9-10, 2014. The 360 delegates were constituted according to the provinces inhabited by Turkmens (Aleppo, Latakia, Hama-Homs-Tartus, Golan-Damascus, Raqqa) and the population weight.

As a result of the elections, with the 42 representatives out of 360 delegates the Assembly was formed. The distribution was made according to the provinces in the assembly. The Executive Board containing 13 people were selected out of the Assembly containing 42 people.

With the second plenary meeting of the Syria Turkmen Assembly an important step was made in the organisation and congregation of Syrian Turkmens under one roof. This case has begun to pave the way for the stronger representation of Turkmens in the international community and in the negotiations made with the Syrian opposition.

Syrian Turkmen Assembly has achieved significant activities/success for Syrian Turkmens in short time. First of all, incorporating established political parties together with the independent bodies an umbrella organisation was formed. Despite all difficulties, shortcomings and deprivations, Syrian Turkmen Assembly is committed to carry out all-out attempts for the Syria Turkmen Case called "Fighting for Dignity and Freedom".

Syrian Turkmen Assembly, despite the limited opportunities at its disposal in this context and the conjuncture's turning against it, almost keeps rowing against the tide and being in the locomotive position in the Turkmen Case with its developed projects.

Syrian Turkmen Assembly derives legitimacy and its strength from "Turkmen" attribute coming from the deep-rooted culture and tradition. The main objective of the Syrian Turkmen Assembly is to ensure the protection of the Turkmens in new Syria under the constitution. In case of the success of the revolution in Syria, a civil democratic political system can emerge. In this environment the greatest expectation of the Syrian Turkmens is to be one of the essential elements making up the Syrian nation in the new constitution. In addition to this, they demand education in their native language and granting other social and cultural rights.

Syrian Turkmen Assembly carries out political and social activities within this framework. It represents Turkmen nation in Syrian negotiations conducted by the UN.