The People's Protection Units – the military wing of Democratic Union Party – used to fight most of their battles with the direct support of the air force and artillery of the Syrian regime.That happened in the city of Ras al-Ayn in the west of Al Hasakah province, or in the east in Tel Hamis.
But with the air force of the regime concerned about approaching the Turkish border for fear of provoking Ankara, for the first time, the Kurds have been left alone to face the Islamic State (IS).
The Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK) and its Syrian wing are fighting alone because the Democratic Union Party adopted an unclear position towards all the components of the Syrian revolution, to the extent that it has been left without any friends.
The party persecuted the Kurdish activists who raised the 'flag of independence' so that the affiliation to the Free Syrian Army became problematic in the self-administration areas announced by the party last year.
Things changed after the intensification of IS strikes on Ain al-Arab (Kobani in Kurdish), and the Democratic Union announced an alliance with groups from the Free Syrian Army. However these groups were unable to help properly due to the tight siege imposed by IS on Kobani.
The PKK has been involved in the fight through its ally in Syria since the beginning of the revolution. It is no secret that the leaders of the military offensive to regain Ras al-Ayn from the hands of IS and the Nusra Front were leaders from PKK, recruited to manage the combat operations with other groups from Qandil Mountain.
But after IS reinforced its forces, after taking control over large areas in both Iraq and Syria, in addition to the birth of the international alliance against IS, the organization launched a violent campaign to take control of the second canton in the self-administration areas, Kobani.
The Democratic Union has recently suffered from severe defeats, though it put all its strength into battle, which prompted PKK to announce general recruitment. Nevertheless, it is unlikely that the step will change the situation greatly, as the PKK has already been involved with all its strength in the battle, whether on the Iraqi front or on the Syrian front.
On the other hand, Turkey is discussing the establishment of a buffer zone on its border with Syria. The commander of PKK, Murad Karayalan, threatened that if such a zone was established, it will put an end to the peace process between the two parties, and the PKK will reopen the Turkish front once again – a threat that many observers descried as a "useless arrogance".
Turkey meanwhile does not seem concerned with the fall of Kobani to IS. In fact, it reinforced security measures on the border to prevent the infiltration of any PKK fighters to the battlefield. Turkey seems to be in a state of relaxation after it managed to liberate its hostages, while its enemies (IS and the PKK) fight each other.
Furthermore, the defeat of the Kurds may facilitate progress in the peace process and end the conflict.
Translated and edited by The Syrian Observer
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