Russia’s Persistent Extortion of SDF in North-eastern Syria
March 8, 2021, 2:57 pm

Russia’s Persistent Extortion of SDF in North-eastern Syria

Jwan Dibo

The concerns of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have recently escalated following the fifteenth round of negotiations in Astana among the three ‘guarantors’: Russia, Turkey, and Iran. SDF's apprehension stems from the possibility that Russia and Turkey can reach a clandestine deal at the expense of the influence of SDF. Russia’s short history in Syria is replete with such disgraceful covert agreements with Turkey at the account of prolonging the tragedy of the Syrian people.

Since Turkish occupation of the Kurdish city of Afrin in March 2018, Russia has never stopped extorting SDF by intimidating them through Turkey. Detachments of Russian Military Police withdrew from the city of Afrin in January 2018 prior Turkey began an offensive against Kurdish forces. Russia abandoned Afrin in return for Ghouta based on the shameful deal, later known as Afrin for Turkey, in exchange for Ghouta for Russia and Assad regime.

Russia’s aim behind giving Afrin to Turkey was to force Kurdish-led SDF to negotiate with Assad regime without preconditions. Likewise, to weaken US influence in Syria by undermining its local ally, namely SDF.

Nowadays, Russia is exerting the same dirty policy towards SDF in the town of Ain Isa In Raqqa and the town of Tal Tamer in the countryside of Hasakah. Russia threatens SDF that it will pull back its forces from Ain Isa and Tel Tamar if SDF will not acquiesce to Russia’s agendas in Syria. Consequently, SDF will be in asymmetric confrontations with Turkish army.

On the ground, Russia implemented recently partial withdrawal from both mentioned towns before coming back shortly. Later, the move was understood as a kind of redeployment in order to confuse SDF.

Since Kurdish-led SDF became the essential partner of US in Syria in late 2015, Russia has not stopped to incite other parties in Syria against SDF. It started with using Iranian and pro-Assad militias against SDF in Raqqa and Deir Ezzor. After the failure to shrink SDF’s influence due to American persistent support, then Russia found that Turkey is the best way and power to minimise SDF role and size.

Therefore, Russia has always blessed Turkey for its expansionist policies in Syria, especially those targeting the Kurdish-led SDF. For Russia, Turkey has practically become an ally throughout the Syrian crisis. Russia initially won when it succeeded to create a rift between America and Turkey. Moscow culminated this victory in signing the S-400 missile deal with Ankara. This deal, which caused a deep fissure between Turkey on the one hand, and US and EU, on the other hand.

When Russia fights SDF, it implicitly challenges US influence in Syria. Therefore, in this case, Turkey is the best method for Russia to harass the American influence in Syria by curbing the leverage of SDF, which is Washington's only partner in Syria.

The options for SDF are very limited. The survival of SDF and the Autonomous Administration of Northern and Eastern Syria is linked to the US military presence in Syria. If US withdraws from Syria, everything will collapse because SDF will be in an unequal clash with the Turkish army. Moreover, Russia and the Syrian regime’s army will not hesitate to attack SDF, which the Syrian regime considers it a separatist project.

Apparently, Russia will continue blackmailing SDF in northeast Syria via Turkey since the balance of power on the ground tend to be in its favour. Moscow was even able to make Turkey join to its coalition by exaggerating the alleged Kurdish threat. The common factor among Moscow, Ankara, Damascus, and Tehran is fighting the US military presence in Syria. In addition, fighting Kurdish aspirations for liberation in the three countries is the old - new goal for the three countries.

But the scene may turn upside down if Biden's administration adopts more firm and clear policies regarding the Syrian issue. This scenario remains possible, knowing that it is somewhat improbable due to the absence of a clear-cut American strategy in Syria.

By: Jwan Dibo

Ordinary Iranians are Victims of Iran-US Standoff Better to live, not die for your country

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”