Syria - International Studies of Strategic and Geopolitics

By ISSG Staff Introduction In a controversial move, Turkey has reportedly resettled around 10,000 Arab Palestinians in the Turkish-occupied Kurdish city of Afrin in Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava). This strategic demographic shift has significantly altered the ethnic composition of the region, diminishing the Kurdish majority and sparking concerns about the long-term consequences for the displaced population. Background Following the Turkish army's occupation of Afrin in March 2018, after a two-month conflict with Kurdish forces, a policy aimed at the Arabization of the Kurdish region was set in motion. The policy received financial support from various Arab nations, including Palestine. Demographic Changes Abdulrahman Apo, a Kurdish politician no longer residing in Afrin, revealed that in...

The Turkish, Russian, and Syrian defense ministers met in Moscow on Wednesday and discussed counterterrorism efforts in the region, Türkiye's defense chief said on Thursday. "At the meeting, we discussed what could be done to improve the situation in Syria and the region as soon as possible, while ensuring peace, tranquility and stability," said Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar before returning to Ankara from Moscow. Noting that Türkiye has emphasized its counterterrorism efforts during the meeting, Akar said: "We emphasized that we respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty rights of all our neighbors, especially Syria and Iraq, and that our sole aim is the fight against terrorism, we have no other purpose." Türkiye also noted that it aims to "neutralize" PKK/YPG, a...

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Turkey’s Controversial Resettlement Policy: Demographic Shifts in Afrin, Syrian Kurdistan

Turkish, Russian, Syrian defense chiefs talked counterterrorism efforts in Moscow: Akar