THE condition of the Middle East is already precarious, with wars in Syria and Yemen, instability in Iraq and the security of the entire region threatened by the self-styled, expansionist Islamic State. In such a bubbling cauldron, another conflict can only add to the chaos and give IS and other extremist entities room to manoeuvre. Unfortunately, the situation involving Turkey and Kurdish dissidents is heating up, and if sagacity and statesmanship are not shown by both sides, it may prove destabilising for Ankara’s internal security while taking the focus away from the fight against IS. Though Turkey and Kurdish group PKK had announced a historic ceasefire in 2013, that accord is now in tatters as the gulf between both sides has widened. The Kurds say the Turkish state is targeting them under the cover of the anti-IS campaign, while Kurdish militants, as a reaction, have stepped up attacks inside the country. Yet as with most conflicts, there are multiple dimensions to the situation. While Ankara and the PKK do not trust each other, they both oppose IS. In fact, while Turkey has recently started targeting the extremist outfit, Kurdish groups have also confronted the ‘caliphate’ in Syria. Despite the fact that they share a common foe, each side has opened up a front against the other.
Turkey and the PKK need to return to the political process to resolve their differences. Using force to address what is essentially a political problem will only distract both sides from the bigger challenge: confronting ascendant Islamist militancy in the region in the shape of IS. The Turkish state should take the lead and keep the channels of dialogue open with the PKK so that it can concentrate — working with other regional states — in countering and eventually defeating IS. We must remember that IS struck roots in Syria and Iraq because a vacuum had been created by internal conflicts. Turkey should study the experience of its neighbours to make sure that the same mistake is not repeated.
Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2015
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