There is a lot of misinformation circulating about Rojava, the revolution there and the Kurdish Freedom Movement more broadly. No-one—least of all the revolutionaries—would claim that the revolution has been perfect, or that no mistakes have been made. But it is a simple fact that much of this propaganga is actively promoted by those regimes most opposed to Kurdish self-determination, such as the fascist Turkish state, as well as supporters of the so-called ‘Syrian Transitional Government’ (i.e., Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham).
In this post, we will counter some of the most common misconceptions about the movement and the revolution in Rojava.
MYTH: The Syrian Kurdish forces have an Islamophobic agenda and are trying to impose Western values on Muslims.
FACT: Syria’s Kurds are overwhelmingly Sunni Muslim, and are fighting for a democratic Syria where everyone is free to practice any religion they please.
MYTH: Syrian Kurdish forces are American proxies.
FACT: The US calls its relationship with Syrian Kurdish forces “temporary, transactional and temporary”. The two forces collaborated against ISIS, but the US has never supported Kurdish political goals. The US has now terminated its relationship with the Kurds and switched its political support to al-Sharaa’s government.
MYTH: Israel is collaborating with the Syrian Kurds to undermine the government and further its occupation of southern Syria.
FACT: There has been limited diplomatic contact between Syrian Kurdish representatives and Israel, but no material support. The al-Sharaa government is currently reaching a deal with Israel accepting Israel’s presence as on occupying power, and Israel has reportedly approved their military operation against the Kurds.
MYTH: Syrian Kurdish forces support Assad.
FACT: Assad systematically suppressed Kurdish rights. The two sides avoided all-out war, but Syrian Kurdish forces clashed with Assad’s forces throughout the civil war, while Assad used economic and political pressure to try and strangle their autonomy in project.
MYTH: Rights violations by Syrian Kurdish forces justify the latest offensive.
FACT: While both sides have committed human rights violations, the Syrian government forces are the aggressors. Pro-Syrian Government media is using Israeli-style tactics to paint Kurds defending their land as terrorists.