ORSAM REVIEW OFORSAM REVIEW OF REGIONAL AFFAIRS REGIONAL AFFAIRS No.41, MARCH 2016

No.41, MARCH 2016

DEEPENING SYRIAN CRISIS: WHAT KIND OF STRATEGY SHOULD TURKMEN FOLLOW?

Cemil Doğaç İpek

Cemil Doğaç İpek presently pursues Turkmen, one of the oldest communities of , his studies as a doctoral student at the Department of International Relations have struggled with the in human attacks of both of Karadeniz Technical University Assad regime and terrorist organizations since up- and as research assistant at the Department of International Relations rising started in Syria in 2011. to- of Atatürk University. He completed day fight on four different fronts in order to protect his undergraduate education at the the lands where they have lived for centuries and Department of International Relations of Gazi University. He received his their identities. It was expected that a new period master’s degree from the Department would start in Syria in 2016 within the framework of International Relations of Gazi University with a dissertation titled of Geneva-Vienna processes. However, the hopes ‘Francophonie: An Ensemble have been shattered for now and Geneva talks are of French Speaking Countries delayed. Turkmen, one of the oldest communities (Frankofoni: Fransızca Konuşan Ülkeler Topluluğu)’. He prepared of Syria, have not been included in the internation- a program of 52 episodes named al preparatory works on the new political process. “ and the (Türkiye ve Ortadoğu)” for French broadcast In this study, we will discuss the current situation on TRT. International Organizations, of the deepening Syrian crisis and the political and Turkish States and Communities, legal strategy that Syrian Turkmen should follow in Turkey-France Relations are among the field of his studies. the coming future. DEEPENING SYRIAN CRISIS: WHAT KIND OF STRATEGY SHOULD TURKMEN FOLLOW?

t was expected that a group. This was a positive de- new period would start velopment, but it is not certain in Syria in 2016 within now whether he will be invited Ithe framework of Geneva- again to the following talks. Vienna processes. However, Turkmen have continued the hopes have been shattered to live in the region since the and Geneva talks are delayed. 7th century. We should first already continued its note that the Turkish inhab- bombardments against civil- itants in Syria do not consti- ians (including hospitals and tute a settled community–Sons bread bakeries opened by the of the Conquerors- as in the UN) and moderate opposition under the rule of the in Syria on the pretext of the . On the fight against ISIS even during contrary, Turkish states and the talks. Therefore, it was not chiefdoms were established possible to see positive results in what is called Syria today in practice. Current solution while Anatolian geography offers started to lose their was not completely Turkified meaning. Thus, every actor and Islamized. Turkmen are directly/indirectly involved dispersed in a large area in in the deepening Syrian crisis Syria. Turkmen are pres- is reconsidering its position ent in , - and renewing its strategies. (Bayirbucak), , , Unfortunately, Turkmen, one Tartus, Al-Raqqah, , of the oldest communities of and Golan. Syrian Syria, have not been included Turkmen today fight on four in the international preparato- different fronts in order to ry works on the new political protect the lands where they process. On 1 February 2016, have lived for centuries and , the their identities. President of Syrian Turkmen Turkmen’s struggle in Syria Assembly went to Geneva started with the uprising in upon the invitation of Riyadh 2011 against the state terror 2 ORSAM REVIEW OF REGIONAL AFFAIRS No.41, MARCH 2016

of Assad regime. Since 2011, well as their fight against ISIS Assad regime bombed several and this reduces their power. times the Turkmen settlements YPG takes advantage of this on the borders of , in situation and forces Turkmen Aleppo, Bayirbucak and dif- civilians to migrate from the ferent regions of Syria. Ten lands it reclaims and kills those thousands of Turkmen lost who reject. Turkmen simul- their lives due to these attacks. taneously try to resist to the According to Turkmen’ state- attacks of Assad regime which ments, thousands of Turkmen is supported by Russia and the are lost or under custody to- militia backed by day. and Iran. Turkmen civilians Turkmen now Turkmen struggle now face a serious massacre espe- struggle against against the attacks of terrorist cially with Russian air bom- the attacks organizations (ISIS and PKK/ bardments. Russia’s armed as- of terrorist YPG) and of Assad regime and saults against Turkmen in the organizations its allies. Even though it is not region are considered within (ISIS and PKK/ reflected in the world opinion, the context of “crimes against YPG) and of Assad Turkmen valiantly fight for a humanity”. regime and its long time in order to protect Turkmen have been living allies. their lands from ISIS terror. in Syria for centuries. There are Sultan Murad Brigades are approximately one and a half in an intense conflict with million Turkmen who speak ISIS militants for a long time Turkish in Syria. The popu- in rural areas of Aleppo un- lation of Turkmen in Syria is der the roof of Free Syrian some three and a half million Army. Furthermore, Turkmen together with Turkmen who Muntasir Billah Brigades are cannot speak Turkish. Both also in a constant fight against Ottoman Imperial archives ISIS and YPG in and around and French Mandate archives Aleppo under the command justify Turkmen’s presence. of Firas Pasha. Turkmen also Turkmen are long exposed to fight on the other fronts as human rights’ violations and 3 DEEPENING SYRIAN CRISIS: WHAT KIND OF STRATEGY SHOULD TURKMEN FOLLOW?

massacres as well as disenfran- announced to the world pub- chisement of cultural rights. lic opinion in any way. There World public opinion should should be a contact with the now react to this situation. mechanisms of conventions The ‘internationalization’ of human rights and inter- of Syrian Turkmen problem national nongovernmental could be an important step organizations that are active- in order to attain the goal of ly involved in this field. At attracting world’s attention. this point, Syrian Turkmen World public opinion should should take initiatives in the first be informed that there presence of the concerned in- is a Turkmen community in stitutions of minority with- Syria which part of the Syrian in the organizational struc- people, but also has a separate ture of the European Union. identity. Today Turkmen in Furthermore, the crimes Syria face human rights’ vio- against humanity that Russia lations and massacres as well commits towards Turkmen as disenfranchisement of cul- should be absolutely re- tural rights. This should be ported and presented to the 4 ORSAM REVIEW OF REGIONAL AFFAIRS No.41, MARCH 2016

world public opinion. Syrian ticle. The 13th article of Treaty Turkmen (together with the of (1921) which some- diaspora of other Turkish times comes to the agenda communities) can make a touches upon the rights to free democratic protest in front of passage and private property Russian embassies in Western concerning the communities capitals. living on both sides of the At this point, it is better border. Highlands and grass- to view this issue from an in- lands used by the tribes often ternational law perspective. stay on the border. That is why We should review the Treaties they have the right to free pass of Ankara (1921), Lausanne lest to face any problem. This Russia’s armed (1923) and Anglo-French- right is not only entitled to assaults against Turkish Treaty (1939). The Turkmen but also to all no- Turkmen in treaty signed in 1921 is fo- madic and semi-nomadic ele- the region are cused on the determination ments. Such rights are consid- considered within of Turkey-Syria borders and ered as rights to free passage/ the context of different issues of borders and private property on both sides “crimes against railways. Claimed to have en- of the border. humanity”. titled Turkey the right to guar- With the 16th article of the antee Syrian Turkmen, the 7th Treaty of Lausanne, Republic article of Treaty of Ankara is of Turkey indeed waives all about Turks/Turkmen living its private and legal rights to in and around the district of the lands remaining from the İskenderun, Hatay and their empire. After the World War cultural rights. There is no I, minority was the notion specific article that entitles that was underlined the most. Turkey the right to guarantee Minority issue was prioritized Turkmen or Syria within the in both treaties of Lausanne scope of the treaty. Nothing is and Versailles, the important foreseen for Syrian Turkmen peace treaties of that time. In other than those who live in this regard, we should under- in the 7th ar- line that minorities that were 5 DEEPENING SYRIAN CRISIS: WHAT KIND OF STRATEGY SHOULD TURKMEN FOLLOW?

defined so at that time were Therefore, it is difficult to say given a place under the chap- that the mentioned legal doc- ter of minorities of mentioned uments affirm Turkey can lay treaties. Then, the status of any claim in terms of Syrian communities remaining from Turkmen. However, French the empire was mostly viewed Mandate cut off Kessab from according to the religious dif- the autonomous region of ferences. Demands were intro- Hatay in 1932 upon the op- duced about the communities position of . This that then had the status of mi- violated the mandatory law. norities. Otherwise, there was French Mandate was formed no debate about the presence in Syria after the Treaty of of any ethnic group here. Ankara in 1921. France ac- During the annexation cepted the demand of Kessab of Hatay to Turkey, there Armenians to separate from is no clear and valid state- the Autonomous of ment in the legal documents Alexandretta and affiliate about Bayirbucak Turkmen. with Latakia in 1932. French

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Mandate separated Kessab Lebanon. It is understood that from the Sanjak in defiance Armenians leaving Kessab see of the 22nd article of Mandate Turkey as a safe harbor again Specifications. (According to in these difficult times even the specifications, the manda- though it is cyclical. This inci- tory state will pay maximum dent can prove that the region attention to and protect the is Turkey’s natural extension integrity of the lands under and needs Turkey’s guarantee. its control. France did not To sum up, there is no clearly abide by this article.) foreseen status in the Treaty This is objectionable. At this of Ankara (1921), Treaty of point, it could pose a prob- Lausanne (1923) and Turkey- World public lem if Turkey does not object France Treaties (1939) con- opinion should to this situation in the follow- cerning the issue in the inter- first be informed ing agreements on the basis of national law. This situation de- that there is unilateral transactions in the pends on the fact that minority a Turkmen international law. A rejection groups are considered on the community in and claim about Kessab may basis of religion and the ma- Syria which is be on the agenda since the cur- jority of Syrian Turkmen live part of the Syrian rent situation in Syria is differ- across the borders of a country people, but also ent than the past. Especially where the population is most- has a separate after broke ly Muslim. Therefore, Syrian identity. out in 2011, Armenians liv- Turkmen do not directly have ing in Çınarcık, İki-Oluk, a separate legal status as an en- Karaduran, Kabacık, Eskiören tity in Syria. That is why the and Düz-Ağaç which are first goal of Syrian Turkmen in the villages of Kessab, start- the following process should ed to take refuge in Hatay, be to gain a legal status. For Turkey. It is noteworthy that this, they should not sit at the Armenian immigrants came table under the current um- to the village of Vakıflı on brella but take their place as the border of Hatay Province a separate actor, an element while they could have gone to that constitutes Syria. If they 7 DEEPENING SYRIAN CRISIS: WHAT KIND OF STRATEGY SHOULD TURKMEN FOLLOW?

succeed in gaining a separate Turkmen can more easily take legal status, this can also be a initiatives in the world public model for . At opinion over the axis of France this point, demanding Turkey – – Turkey which has to be a guarantor would be close policies on Syria. Syrian politically premature. Thus, it Turkmen Assembly can open will be a more rational choice offices in Paris, Strasbourg for Syrian Turkmen to make and . Visual and print- modest requests in the current ed media are critical in order situation. to ensure that Turkmen can It could also be more ratio- come into prominence in the nal for Syrian Turkmen to con- international media during centrate their efforts on three this process. Think tanks in countries defined as smart and the USA should powers so that they would gain publish reports about Syrian visibility and legal status at the Turkmen through sponsor- international arena. Herein, ship. The international media 8 ORSAM REVIEW OF REGIONAL AFFAIRS No.41, MARCH 2016

should prepare documenta- like ISIS on the ground, but in ries like Syrian Turkmen as every field. Freedom Fighters who fight Furthermore, Ottoman against Assad regime and ISIS. Imperial archives and French Prominent Turkmen leaders Mandate archives are very im- should be promoted in the portant for Turkmen to prove international media as import- that Turkmen have existed in ant figures so that they would Syria since the very old times be remembered when Syrian in order to gain legal status. Turkmen are concerned. A project may be beneficial Syrian Turkmen should be to examine, publish and share soon introduced well to the concerning archives with the Today, Turkey and world public opinion as a dem- public opinion. the West face a ocratic, secular, modern entity Whether all steps taken by serious Syrian- that has no problems with the Syrian Turkmen will enable based challenge West and its values and re- gains in the long term depends in the region. spects all the ethnic-religious on the durability of the legal There is a need elements. As a more Western- status they acquire. About the for a counter secular actor compared to oth- legal status, ‘local communi- challenge and er elements in Syria, Syrian ty’ status that Crimean organization of a Turkmen will arouse curiosity gained in Ukraine in 2014 move against this in Western public opinion. can be an example. Kosovo’s challenge. To support this argument, if status as autonomous region there is a perfect guide of any in Serbia, Turks’ status in Sufi-Islamic school among Western Thrace and the status Turkmen, he should be pro- of non-Muslims in Turkey can moted in this process as well. be examined, too. Therefore, Turkmen may re- Finally, legal status will ceive a prompter response, in bring objectivity to Turkmen. line with the Western fears, by The current situation of Syrian showing that they do not only Turkmen is unfortunately a fight against the elements that state of subjectivity. No one declare people as unbelievers else but Turkey will care about 9 DEEPENING SYRIAN CRISIS: WHAT KIND OF STRATEGY SHOULD TURKMEN FOLLOW?

and pay attention to Turkmen eliminate the political-mili- if the state of subjectivity con- tary opposition in Syria and tinues. The primary goal of guarantee the seat of Assad. At Turkmen is to gain a status no this point, it is not a rational matter what happens. Legal choice to demand the continua- status is a title for the upcom- tion of Assad regime as the lesser ing years (even if it is deleted). evil in the face of ISIS as often Today, the friends of Syrian indicated in the international people such as Turkey, Qatar, community since Assad re- , France and the gime is the first reason for the USA want to solve the prob- emergence of ISIS. Friends of lem primarily in political Syria, especially Turkey should terms. However, the military take the initiative to combine support of Russia and Iran to the forces of the opposition Assad regime caused an im- and affiliate them to a central balance of power in the field. command system. It seems that Assad regime As is known, Syrian crisis and its allies will continue caused a serious amount of to launch attacks until they victims/mobility of migrants.

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This mobility is likely to con- zones, safe shelters and no- tinue and this situation is now flight zones. (The need for going far from being sustain- these measures was frequently able in Turkey and Europe. indicated by several actors, no- The repercussions of Syrian tably by Turkey and France.) crisis (refugee influx, ISIS In 1991, UN Security terror etc.) strengthen the ex- Council adopted Resolution treme-right movement that 688 about . A specific sit- Russia is known to support in uation of humanitarian aid/in- Europe. Regarding the insta- tervention came out with this bility resulting from Russia’s Turkmen can resolution. We see that this play an aggressive attitude towards notion of humanitarian aid/ important role in Ukraine, we can see that the intervention is tried to be gen- establishing current picture poses a seri- eralized and legalized under a democratic and ous threat for the European this notion of Responsibility Union. to Protect (R2P/RtoP) since secular order Today, Turkey and the the early 2000s. Furthermore, both in the West face a serious Syrian- it is known that the terorist Middle East and based challenge in the region. organizations like ISIS, PKK- in Syria if the There is a need for a counter YPG that conduct terrorist international challenge and organization of activities in Turkey have bases community gives a move against this challenge. in Iraq and Syria and exist es- support. Western countries should now pecially in these two countries. be seriously involved in or- In this regard, international der to solve this problem. In law will see Turkey’s interven- the following period, there tion in the region as counter- should be a humanitarian in- terrorism and self-defense. tervention led by the friendly At the point we have ar- nations of Syrian people in rived at today, Turkmen can order to end this humanitar- play an important role in es- ian plight which continues tablishing a democratic and in Syria. Accordingly, it will secular order both in the be beneficial to establish safe Middle East and in Syria if the 11 DEEPENING SYRIAN CRISIS: WHAT KIND OF STRATEGY SHOULD TURKMEN FOLLOW?

international community gives tellectual struggle if they gain support. Turkmen can defeat power. Therefore, European salafist/jihadist organizations continent will be also protect- that declare people unbeliev- ed from the refugee influx and ers both in an armed and in- salafist/jihadist organizations.

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