What is the role of the US in helping Turkey suppress the Kurds?
It is common knowledge among Kurdish communities that Turkey’s shining reputation as a moderate Middle Eastern democracy is false, and that Turkey’s suppression of its Kurdish population is accompanied by censorship, unfair detainment, and brutality. The United States also has a hypocritical global reputation: claiming to be the world’s bastion of human rights, the US often engages in imperialist campaigns that have ended the lives of millions of innocent civilians.
Like attracts like. The US, to protect its own interests, provides $21 billion in economic and military aid to Turkey. The Roboski massacre, which killed 38 civilian Kurds almost exactly a year ago, was the direct result of a US Predator Drone and the relationship between American intelligence officials and Turkey. The article from the Washington Post goes on to say, “The Obama administration has moved to expand cooperation—by stepping up intelligence sharing and by supporting Turkey’s request to buy armed and unarmed U.S. drones to give the Turks full control.”
The repercussions of an increased intelligence relationship between Turkey and the US are dangerous. Should the US give Turkey the complete access it wants to its military intelligence services, and drones, Turkey could turn turn its Kurdish battlegrounds into what Pakistan is for the US, a constant hum of drones and risk of sudden death based on vague accusations of “terrorism”.
Turkey is incredibly valuable to the US, as both a military and economic ally. By continuing its process of economic liberalization, the US sees valuable markets in Turkey. And by continuing to pretend to be the watchdog of the Middle East, the US sees a valuable military partner who, with few exceptions, will work to defend US stability and interests.
The situation in Syria has only served to further marry the US and Turkey together as military allies by “intensifying its intelligence sharing and military consultations with Turkey behind the scenes.” As a NATO member, Turkey is well suited to serve as the US’s arm in making sure that the Syrian conflict is controlled. However, by assigning Turkey this role, Turkey also enjoys the added perk of suppressing the rising Kurdish presence in Syria. Turkey has extended formal support to the Free Syrian Army, allowing them to be based in Turkey and extending military aid. As the conflict in Syria continues and the situation becomes increasingly violent, Islamist groups with little accountability to FSA overhead have attacked Kurdish areas. Turkey’s porous border into Syria has done nothing to help the situation for Syria’s Kurds, and leaves a wide door for future military activities on Syrian Kurdish territory.
The continued US support to Turkey acts in essence as a stamp of approval to Turkish actions in the region and oppression against the Kurds. The US pays little more than lip service to its concern about things like Turkey’s detainment of journalists, and as long as its aid supply is not affected, Turkey has little motivation to reform. Considering the US’s stance towards Turkey, the US has a direct hand in and responsibility for the oppression of Kurds in Turkey.
Comments
Typical biased news…. What is this do you really think turkey hates Kurds??? Who the hell are you?? If the Kurds were so oppressed why would the majority of my Kurdish brothers not vote for Kurdish political parties… What is your view, that turkey pin points Kurdish people??? Why are you trying to create a division??? If so there is so many different ethnic back grounds in turkey we also don’t have proper infustructure but we are still proud to be Turkish ethnics why put division between the people.. My Kurdish brothers are not stupid enough to believe in this crap… My Kurdish brothers are smart ethnically educated to understand better and I mean very smart… Enough of your properganda about hate. Useless articles to brain wash the masses have some self respect .. This is not the 80’s anymore . You probably support a regime that kills innocent people kids women elderly this is not Kurdish…. Read your history… Educate yourself and chant for rights but don’t put crap that creates fear for your readers…. This is a different turkey… Do you believe it is only Kurdish areas that does not have proper roads?water?electricity? Infrastructure in general?? High Quality Replica Rolex watches online store Open your eyes… I have respect for taking arms and being a man and fighting like a man even if it’s the enemy but stop being a bitch and fight like one to get people on your side… And you ask why people hate your movement. What would the great Kurdish leader sellahadin eyubi say even think about what your doing.
“Your Kurdish brothers” obviously aren’t part of the thousands of Kurds who are put in jail for being Kurdish. Turkey’s abuse of Kurds is a fact, and it is not the point of this article.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/19/turkey-media-idUSL4N09T4RL20121219
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/08/turkey-kurds-idUSL5E8N82GS20121208
http://www.institutkurde.org/en/info/nearly-90-detained-as-kurdish-demonstrators-clash-with-police-in-turkey–1125914647.html
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Suzan, I googled turkey (bird for christmas) but ended up on your article.
Very interesting as I am Turkisch. But I have to say most Kurds I know don’t support your view. I wil explain it to you with a overall view. Unfortunally your article is based on selective information. Only facts that confirm your opinion on the situation (confirmation bias).
I must say the PKK had a good point to pick up arms in the 80’s, but Turkey changed a lot since then. It is stil developing it’s democratic system. Sure it is not perfect, but make a snapshot from 2002 and 2012. I don’t have to sum all the rights the Kurds got since then. Better formuled: the rights the Kurds deserved, just like everybody in Turkey.
You may have critism on Erdogan. If you just write down selective things sure you are fooling you readers. For example:
It was Erdogan who was saying that “East and West Turkey” have the same rights back in 1996. You have to remember that back then it was dangerous to have a opinion like this.
Please have a look at the voting map.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_general_election,_2002
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_general_election,_2007
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_general_election,_2011
Most Kurds support Erdogan. Only the ones in the conflict zone support the PKK backed BDP. Ever figured out why? Because the PKK blocks the development in those area. Ever been to Gaziantep, Diyarbakir or Erzincan? Twin line highway, modern buildings and new industries. Those Kurds are just living and working. They don’t support the PKK. Why Sirnak and Hakkari is not developed? Do you dare to open a fabric there? Do you think the PKK will accept “their” Kurds to work and have a normal living? The key issues the PKK was fighting for are no more. Bu after 30 years of fighting you can’t just stop. We all know: if the PKK stops fighting, the economic boost in Eastern Turkey will be blowing.
By the way, you must know about the Kurds in Iraq. Their best friend is Turkey. Turkisch goverment has a better relation with the Kurds then with the Iraqi administration. (see oil deals)
And yes, it is true it is still not perfeft! But you must know change comes in time. The next generation Kurds will be living free. Stop fighting for it, it is allready coming.
Just like the PKK was fighting for their rights, the FSA does now. Nobody wanted this conflict and I dont support both of them. You must had a good life before the crisis in your country. I can understand your frustation against Turkey now, but don’t use the Kurdisch conflict to set Turkey in a bad daylight.
And to all the kurds on this site:
please give Turkey time. Maybe you had bad experience with the Turkisch goverment but your children deserve to live in freedom. You don’t have to hang a Turkisch flag in your house, you don’t have to love Ataturk. Just send your children to school and support them with their future. Keep them away from the “mountains”. Never fight for a ideology, only fight for your family.
I can understand the sympathie for the PKK, but you really want to have a country with marcxism?