

Explainer - Where do the Kurds fit into Syria's war?

Explainer - Where do the Kurds fit into Syria's war?
Erik de Castro(Reuters)
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BEIRUT (Reuters) - The future of Kurdish-led areas of northern and eastern Syria has been thrown into doubt by President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw U.S. troops who have helped to secure the region.


Trump said on Wednesday the United States would withdraw slowly "over a period of time" and would protect the U.S.-backed Kurdish fighters as Washington withdraws troops, but without giving a timetable.



GRAPHIC - Syria control map:


The main Syrian Kurdish faction, the Democratic Union Party (PYD), began to establish a foothold in the north early in the war as government forces withdrew to put down the anti-Assad uprising elsewhere. An affiliated militia, the People's Protection Units (YPG), secured the region.




Kurdish leaders say their aim is regional autonomy within a decentralised Syria, not independence.




Turkey has a Kurdish minority equal to 15 to 20 percent of its population, mostly living in eastern and southeastern areas bordering Syria. Wary of separatistism, Turkey views the PYD's Syrian foothold as a national security threat.

Syria's main Kurdish groups do not hide Ocalan's influence: they organised elections towards establishing a political system based on his ideas.



Syria's Baathist state systematically persecuted the Kurds before the war. Yet the YPG and Damascus have broadly stayed out of each other's way during the conflict, despite occasional clashes. They also have been seen to cooperate against shared foes, notably in and around Aleppo. [IDnL8N1Q213V]


But Damascus opposes Kurdish autonomy demands: the Syrian foreign minister last month said "nobody in Syria accepts talk about independent entities or federalism".

Talks between the sides last year made no progress.

The Kurdish-led authorities are launching a new initiative aiming to put pressure on the government to reach a political settlement "within the framework of a decentralized Syria," leading Kurdish politician Ilham Ahmed said last week.

Analysts say the Kurds' negotiating position has been weakened by Trump's announcement.



But it would not mark the end of the war.



Enmity runs deep between the YPG and these groups.


Assad also wants Turkey out as he vows to recover "every inch" of Syria.

(Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by Angus MacSwan)
