-
Astana 14: The refuse of Kurdish autonomy

The recent fourteenth round of the Astana talks on Syria, that took place in the Kazakh capital city of Nur-Sultan, was not different from its previous talks except that it was focusing on the agendas of the three guarantor states (Russia, Iran, Turkey) at the expense of the Syrian people’s priorities and their interests such as the constitutional reform, the process of releasing the detainees and expose the fate of kidnapped Syrian people. In fact, the statement of Astana’s guarantors addressed only their political interests.
For example, in one of the paragraphs of the statement the guarantors condemned “the Israeli military attacks against Iranian military bases in Syria and considered it as a broke of international law”. However, that was an Iranian matter and request that had, for the first time, the Russian and Turkish agreement. Added to this, the declaration stressed that the necessity of peace and stability in the region by respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria. The guarantors expressed their concern about the seizure of oil revenues which is an illegal step that was implemented by the US and this is the reason of its military presence in northeast Syria.
On the other hand, the situation in Idlib’s de- escalation zone did not pay attention to the guarantors, and they failed to reach the expected plan of preventing the resumption fighting despite the Russia-Turkey’s agreement. It seemed also that the guarantors were uncomfortable with the United Nations envoy G.Pedersen plan regarding the schedule work of the Constitutional Committee that is to be held in Geneva under the 2254 Resolution, where they want this file to overhand into Sochi-Astana talks.
Simultaneously with the recent military on going progress in the East Euphrates, the Astana’s talks main focus was on the Russian-Turkish agreement of joint patrolling on the border with the participation of the Syrian Border Guard Forces. Hence, this is another attempt by Russia to re-activate the Adana Agreement 1998 between Ankara and Damascus, where President Putin has already promoted this agreement with his Turkish counterpart Erdogan.
Eventually, the Russian mediation between both parties might normalize the relationship at the political and diplomatic level between Ankara and Damascus after it was only security channels. In addition, Russia is trying to control the M4 highway between Qamishli and Aleppo, which is considered as strategic transport highway for the eastern region and then to be under the regime’s control.
All parties highlighted American’s new form of presence in eastern Euphrates that the Pentagon has agreed to deploy 600 American soldiers to guard oil, and this decision encouraged European allies to keep their forces in Syria within international coalition and to cooperate with the ground ally of the Syrian Democratic Forces.
As Turkey has expressed its concern for Kurdish autonomous and all parties had agreed and stressed their concern about any separatist agendas that aim to threat the unity of Syria and the national security of the neighbouring countries. Moreover, the statement rejected all attempts to create new realities on the ground and any attempts of autonomy or self- rule initiatives under the pretext of combating terrorism.
The Kurdish- led Syrian Democratic Forces is the main goal for Turkey that considers it as extension of the Kurdistan Worker Party (PKK), which has fought for autonomy in Turkey for decades.
However, the Turkey’s worry is not only due to the fact that the Kurdish autonomous can undermine the Syrian sovereignty but because of turkey’s “Kurdish phobia” that might pursue the Kurds in Turkey as well to copy the both Kurdish experience in Iraqi-Kurdistan and northeast Syria.
In contrast, the three guarantor countries were occupied the Syrian territories.
For example, Turkey has carried out three military invasions in north Syria (Euphrates Shield, Olive Branch, Peace Spring) under the pretext of fighting ISIS and terrorism, although Turkey are cooperating with Al Qaeda and ISIS and has allowing the jihadi fighters from different countries to enter Syrian territories.
In conclusion, the fourteenth round of Syria peace talks were ended without any progress in the main Syrians urgent concerns and interests. Nevertheless, the meeting was between the guarantors themselves that could only match their agendas.
The rejection of the Kurdish autonomy was the common interest for all parties with the Syrian opposition and the Assad’s regime as well who are refusing any Kurdish rights. However, the only political solution for Syria that can obtain the unity and sovereignty of the state, has been declared by Kurdish political parties from the beginning of the Syrian crisis, which based on call for federal state.
Added to this, establishing a federal system can guarantee constitutionally the rights of all Syrian components such as Arabs, Kurds, Syrians and other cultural and religious groups.
By : Zara Saleh
You May Also Like
Popular Posts
Caricature
BENEFIT AGM approves 10%...
- March 27, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).
Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.
opinion
Report
ads
Newsletter
Subscribe to our mailing list to get the new updates!