(en) France, Organisation Communiste Libertarie (OCL) - Koban? the struggle of the Kurds and the dangers that lie in wait by Jelle Bruinsma (fr)

 [machine translation]

Since this article was published, the jihadists have launched new offensives by the 
arrival of reinforcements, including many suicide bombers who blow themselves up by 
jumping on the positions of Kurdish fighters driving truck bombs. The United States have 
increased their aid shots bombing and for the first time by the dropping of arms, 
ammunition and equipment to rescue and not Kurdish Kurdish fighters who defend the city. 
---- Since then, Erdogan was forced to change its position by allowing the arrival of 
reinforcements ... but as long as they do not belong to the Kurdish left. That is why 
peshmerga Iraqi Kurdistan, ruled by the KDP conservative party Barzani, expected to enter 
into Koban?, as thousands of Syrian Kurds are ready to fight.

Meanwhile, in the mountains of Sinjar (in northern Iraq), thousands of Kurds Yazidis who 
had sought refuge, are right now surrounded by jihadists equipped with armored Humvees 
that have launched since last Monday (October 20) a new offensive ... Two residential 
areas in the plains were taken by IR, forcing thousands of civilians to flee back into the 
mountain. Voluntary militia YBS (Yekineyen Berxwedan? Sengal? - Units of resistance 
Sinjar), supported by the HPG (People's Defence Forces, the PKK) announced killing twenty 
jihadists during fierce fighting and launched calls alert and mobilization. Reinforcements 
should be sent there as soon ...

The Battle of Koban? changed a lot in a short time and is now reflected in a rather 
unusual new alliance between the forces of the left and the main Kurdish imperial power in 
the world. Both probably did not have a choice, given their respective situations and goals.

Update on the reasons for the cartel to the purely operational start, and the dangers 
inherent in such developments.

October 22, 2014

Koban? the struggle of the Kurds and the dangers that lie in wait

Jelle Bruinsma, October 19, 2014

While EIIL was driven from Koban? the dangers of imperial prerogatives of the United 
States threaten Kurdish ambitions for democratic autonomy .

Now that various reports confirm that both men and women incredibly brave Kurds have 
managed to hold the city of Koban? and even chasing the fascists of EIIL, it is time to 
think. How have they managed to repel the EIIL? Why the United States are they more deeply 
involved? And what dangers may arise from now?

There are two weeks, the Indomitable People's Defense Units (YPG) had issued a statement 
of challenge [see attached document] which emphasized the meaning of their "historical 
responsibility" promising that "the defeat and extinction of EIIL begin at the Koban?. 
Every street, every house Koban? be a grave for EIIL " . Many have admired the courage of 
the Kurds. Turkish comrades and elsewhere have even tried to join the defense Koban? and 
campaigns have been launched worldwide to raise money for them.

But there was probably little to really outiders the murderous assault of EIIL could be 
stopped believing when several articles defending Koban? that was almost dark. This was 
largely due to criminal and intransigent position of Turkey, which was to block the 
Kurdish supply lines, and the lack of interest of the United States for which - according 
to their imperial calculations - was a city strategically without importance .

Two weeks later, the situation seems to have been completely reversed, with EIIL seems 
retreat and a Kurdish official stating that "there is more in EIIL Koban? now" , although 
fighting continues in the eastern part of the city. During these weeks, the United States 
has stepped up air strikes on the positions of EIIL in and out of Koban?, and called for 
the first time direct talks with the Kurdish Democratic Party of the union ( PYD). Kurdish 
commander YPG has meanwhile said that "his militia had received arms, supplies and 
fighters" . Although he did not reveal any further information, journalists located in the 
Turkish city of Suru?, 15 kilometers from the border of Koban?, he seems to have "met with 
fighters who were commuting" . This may be liable to an intimate knowledge of the region 
from the combatants, but a "well-placed Turkish," told the BBC that "supplies had indeed 
been allowed to cross the border" .

As stated by a previous article ROAR there two weeks, if Koban? fell, the United States 
and Turkey have carried the responsibility. Both states have the military power and the 
ability to stop the EIIL and prevent it from reaching the city. Moreover, and more 
importantly, different reports seemed to prove that Turkey has actively helped EIIL in 
several ways:

1.- allowing fighters EIIL wounded to receive medical treatment in Turkish hospitals, and 
return to Syria to join the fight;

2.- allowing the EIIL across the border and sell oil from fields that control the black 
market of Turkey, given a considerable financial importance to EIIL;

3.- blocking experienced PKK forces preventing them from entering Syria to help defend and 
fight Koban? EIIL and even blocking the supply of arms and other supplies;

4.- last week, and there is even more serious, reactivating its involvement in the war 
against its own Kurds when it bombed PKK positions in the south-eastern region of Dagl?ca.

Although all of the above remains, political and imperial calculations are complex and 
reflect the need to defend various and conflicting interests. For Koban?, it is clear that 
Turkey was very happy to let the EIIL strike a blow against Kurdish forces, and 
potentially kill thousands of Kurds. She also sought to reorient consideration as 
international pressure on the formation of a new front against the Assad regime in Syria. 
The United States, too, were perfectly happy to let these die "unworthy victims", and 
stated clearly that Koban? did not matter to them.

What has changed this situation? Although the United States still give priority to the 
fight against EIIL in Iraq, where they have much more economic interests and reputations 
to defend, they increased their air attacks on EIIL Koban? around, probably in 
coordination with the Kurds. Kurds in the region are naturally welcome these American air 
strikes on the positions of EIIL, and elsewhere since the beginning of the Kurdish 
resistance had called for greater and more effective air strikes.

Two reasons seem to explain the increased involvement of the United States.

First, the forces YPG-PKK well trained proved to be the most effective of EIIL military 
adversaries, even taking into account their outnumbered and outgunned. While in Iraq, the 
military - despite a decade of training by the United States and sophisticated weaponry - 
has d?bin?e at the mere sight of fighters EIIL forces YPG-PKK have proven their value " 
"For the second time, after coming to the rescue of Yezidis of Iraq. As the United States 
does not want to put "boots on the ground" as its regional allies have not shown a serious 
commitment to date, and as their air campaign is doomed to failure, they need allies who 
are determined to fight the EIIL.

Second, the United States is helping Koban? for "propaganda purposes", in the words of the 
editor of the specialist in diplomacy and defense BBC, Mark Urban. Like any good mafia 
network in the international relations, based on reputation. With the United States have 
announced that they would "weaken and ultimately destroy" the EIIL, and with the eyes of 
the world resting on Koban? because of the bravery yet hardened Kurdish fighters and their 
supporters activism around the world, a massacre in Koban? have dealt a blow to the 
credibility of the United States. Koban? "is more a symbol than a strategic asset, but its 
loss would reinforce the feeling that EIIL is unstoppable" , says military analyst at the 
Brookings Institution , Michael O'Hanlon.

The Kurds have now been forced into a strategic alliance seemingly inevitable but 
dangerous, with the United States. Inevitable because they were overwhelmed by the weapons 
and had EIIL needs of sophisticated weapons with them to block EIIL and create a breathing 
space. Dangerous, because the interests and intentions of the Kurds are diametrically 
opposed to those of the United States, know that perfectly. Attempts by the Kurds to 
create autonomous zones are democratic as much a threat to the imperial interests of the 
United States for the EIIL. The cornerstone of the policy of the United States in the 
Middle East has always been support for stable regimes that can successfully block all 
calls for democracy or national control over natural resources. In this sense, the 
comparison of the Kurds with the Spanish anarchists in 1936 that made David Graeber holds 
water: Although anarchists also fought the fascists, all the major Western powers opposed 
them and blocked the sending of arms, with a famously favorite fascist anarchists or 
communists Churchill.

In light of the cooperation YPG United States, it is useful to recall a more contemporary 
history, that of betrayal Shiites and Kurds in Iraq in 1991.

That was in 1991, but it might as well have been in 2014, a European diplomat noted that 
"Americans prefer to have another Assad, or better yet, another Mubarak in Baghdad" . It 
was during the first Gulf War, launched because the former ally Saddam Hussein had 
disobeyed orders to American by invading Kuwait. The ?tatsunienne attack against Iraq had 
created a hope among the oppressed Kurds and Shiites, backed by Bush, who openly 
encouraged to rise up against Saddam Hussein hope, giving the impression that the United 
States would provide support. But uncertainty before a post-Saddam Iraq have led the 
United States decided to keep Saddam in power. In the most terrible of Iraqi history 
weeks, the United States - who controlled Iraqi airspace completely - did nothing and 
allowed Saddam Hussein to break the no-fly zone controlled by United States and using 
helicopter gunships to quell the uprising and massacre the Shia and Kurdish civilians.

The Kurds do not need to be reminded of these facts. Their families have lived through 
them and other imperial betrayals. At the same time, they do not have time to waste with 
Western philosophers, from their chairs condemn any cooperation with bombs ?tatsuniennes - 
and rightly so. It was their lives that were directly involved.

But this new situation is not without great difficulty. The fact that the United States 
continues to place greater emphasis on Iraq as Koban? and the commander of the American 
army in the Middle East, Lloyd Austin last Friday [17 October] still thinking "quite 
possible" Koban? that eventually fall into the hands of EIIL, raises serious questions. 
How long the United States will they continue to support the resistance of the air 
strikes? What it is discussed in high-level talks between representatives of the PYD and 
the United States State Department? What the United States will try to "get" the Kurds? 
More active cooperation in the fight against the EIIL? In exchange for what?

An answer was given today [October 19] in the statement of the General Command of YPG. In 
the latter, they confirm that they have reached an agreement with the Free Syrian Army 
(FSA), the group that fought the tyrannical regime of Assad with some support from the 
West. They also confirm that the FSA is fighting alongside them in Koban? and that from 
now on they will cooperate in "fight against terrorism and building a free and democratic 
Syria" . This is a significant change in strategy as it means not only to fight EIIL but 
Assad - a key demand of Turkey - and, moreover, is based on a "true partnership for 
administration of this country " with all its "social classes" [see full statement in Annex].

Is this the price that YPG left had to pay for that open supply lines? It's an open 
question about what it means for social revolution in Rojava.

It is not unlikely, for example, that the supply lines through the Turkish borders were 
secretly tolerated by Turkey because of pressure from the United States and / or agreement 
that was concluded with the ASL. They can also be cut. The US Air strikes can also stop 
and imperial considerations may change. The list of those who, by necessity or choice, 
collaborated with the imperial powers but then left to die is infinite. The sad fact is 
that modern emperors can still decide who lives and who dies.

As the Kurds are aware, long-term cooperation with the United States is inconsistent with 
their own ambitions and aspirations in a region and a society free from all forms of 
oppression. But whether there are other options in the short term is a relevant question. 
Even for a continuous supply of essential heavy weapons and the free movement of their 
forces, they are largely dependent on the preferences of imperial masters degree.

This time, thanks to their bravery, they forced the imperial hand and are able to continue 
their fight. But what will happen tomorrow? Turkey has for decades been one of the key 
regional allies of the United States, even if the United States needs now Kurds, it will 
be at best a temporary alliance.

For us Westerners who we place in solidarity with our Kurdish comrades, it is essential to 
continue the pressure on our own states, to the eyes of the world are fixed on Koban? and 
the Kurdish struggle as a whole. More than that, we must openly support the calls of YPG 
for weapons they are supplied and require that the PKK is removed from the monstrous 
"terrorist list". Stuck between a rock and a hard place, the Kurds ultimately can not rely 
on themselves. The greater freedom to move, they will be better prepared, the greater 
their ability to protect the social revolution in the Rojava and also combat EIIL.

October 19, 2014

___

Jelle Bruinsma doctoral researcher in history at the European University Institute and 
collaborator ROAR Magazine .

ROAR ("Howl"), Reflections on a Revolution

Source: Koban?, the Kurdish struggle, and the dangers lurking ahead

Translation: XYZ / OCL ( http://oclibertaire.free.fr/ )