Eurasia Diary analytical information gateway conducted an interview with Syrian Turkmen Assembly President Abdurrahman Mustafa about the ongoing crisis in Syria.
Is there any significance of Syrian peace talks?
As Syrian Turkmen Assembly, we provide our full support to all international procedures aimed at ending the war in Syria. Unfortunately, until now no applicable or sustainable will at this point has been presented.
Despite all these uncertainties and efforts on prevention measures, we are looking forward to a Peace process which will fully reveal the will of the Syrian people; and will ensure the cessation of the bombardment, which caused the death of innocent civilians in Syria; oversee the rights claimed by the Turkmens; guarantee the future without participation of the Syrian Assad regime and the Baath System.
However, in Geneva which I also attended, the step toward peace hasn’t been taken during the talks. The UN and the international community did not implement the adopted decisions.
How does the presence of the major powers such as Russia and the US influence the Syrian crisis?
Global central powers demonstrate their strength in Syria. It only harms severely the innocent civilians. Russia, bombs Syria pleading ISIS since September 30. US and the West's attitude is generally full of uncertainty.
Is it true that Turkmens in Syria and jihadists act together?
As Syrian Turkmens, we have a moderate sociological structure in all meanings of the word. We have no extremism either in cultural or ideological world.
Why does Turkey support the Turkmens?
Turkey supports not only Turkmens but also all the people living in Syria who suffer from the conflict. Turkey assists oppressed Syrians and mobilizes all the resources in humanitarian aid. To assist the one in need is in the traditional cultural of the Turkish society. In addition, Turks and Turkmens in Syria have common history, culture and language.
Does Turkey support with only weapons and logistics?
Turkey, helps Turkmens and Syrians in all respects, especially in political and humanitarian issues.
What is the exact role of PYD in Syria?
PYD, just like the ISIS, is a dark power who wants to undermine the territorial integrity of Syria and to obstruct the struggle of Syrians. There is a “big game” played in Syrian territories right now. And PYD’s role in this game is to contribute to it as much as possible with its “Kurdish corridor” means.
“Al-Assad will go” slogan is non-stop used for 5 years, but he is still in Syria. Who is the responsible one for this failure?
Sooner or later he will go. Regime that persecutes its own people, slaughters them, cannot go on in the further in Syria. The global powers in favor of Asad’s presence will fail. Syrian people will fight their just struggle till the end.
How could you summarize the humanitarian situation in Syria?
One of the worst crises in the history of humankind is happening in Syria right now. 400 000 people have lost their lives. Hundreds of thousands of people are being tortured in the prisons of the regime. 10 million Syrian were forced to leave their living place. In summary, there are death, relocation, and blockade and hunger crisis in Syria.
Tony Blair apologized the international community not finding anything related to the weapons destruction as results of the attacks against Saddam Hussein. What will be at the end of Assad issue?
There is no place for the Assad who is the killer of hundreds of thousands Syrians and destroyed his country and its citizens. As mentioned earlier, those dark powers interested in continuation of the bloody war in Syria will face the failure. Asad and Baath regime will have no place in future Syria. Years later the international community will apologize from Syrian people.
In your speech you told Russia is responsible for the half of people who died in Syria. But, who is responsible for the part? Which coalition or side?
Who supports Assad regime and his allies Russia, Iran, Hizbullah militants and Regime; serves ISIS or PYD are the murders of Syrians.
Do you agree with the ideas that there are weapons of mass destruction under the command of Assad?
there are variety of weaponry that Asad and allies use against the Syrian people. there is also Napalm bombs banned under the international law that is currently used against the Turkemn people living there. Also UN chemical weapon inspectors have verified that the regime had attacked to Damascus Guta ZAMAL, Ayn Tarma and Muadhamiye with sarin gas.
World has united against Assad. What is the problem of the Assad regime?
World hasn’t united against Assad. It is not possible to talk about this while there are super powers such as Russia and Iran supporting him.
How do you see the Syria to ensure the peace and stability in the future? Moreover, how is going to be the future of Assad?
Geneva talks will be postponed as long as Russia will bomb the Syrians. On one hand, the regime and its supporters Iran and Russia, on the one hand ISID and, PYD are trying to finish the Syrian opposition party. Not the war but opposition is the target.
Peace process is necessary to fully reveal the Syrians’ will, to ensure the cessation of the bombardment, which caused the death of innocent people, remove the blockades.
