MESOP BACKGROUNDER : SALIH MUSLIM (PYD/PKK) STILL BETS ON PUTIN – HIS ENORMOUS PROBLEM: PUTIN GOES ERDOGAN AND ERDOGAN GOES DAMASCUS

Kurds discussing proposal of autonomous region in Syrian Kurdistan

MOSCOW,— The proposal to establish an autonomous Kurdish region in Syrian Kurdistan, the north of a federalized Syria, is currently being discussed as this topic concerns the entire country, Salih Muslim, co-chairman of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD), told Sputnik.

Syria’s Kurds on March 17, 2016 declared a federal region in Syrian Kurdistan in the country’s north, but both the government and an opposition coalition swiftly rejected the announcement.“The theme of federalization is being discussed. It is not a question of northern Syria. It’s a question of the whole of Syria. Discussions are ongoing,” Muslim said in an interview.He added that the issues that need to be negotiated include a federal parliament and holding elections.

Syrian Kurds worried Erdogan will try to mend ties with Assad out of spite

Salih Muslim expressed his concerns over the possibility of Ankara attempting to normalize relations with the Syrian government out of spite for the Kurds.

Speaking to Sputnik Turkey, Muslim explained that the PYD is concerned about the prospects of post-coup attempt Turkey strengthening ties with neighboring states to prevent Kurds from achieving their rights to autonomy in Syrian Kurdistan. He suggested that he doubts that Turkey will be able to make peace with Assad, but added that even if that happens, it will not affect the Syrian Kurdish project for autonomy inside Syria.