Mehmet Metiner, a former AKP deputy, stirred political debate by stating that Turkey would not object to a Kurdish autonomous region in Syria, akin to that of Iraq, provided it remains disconnected from the PKK. In an article, he emphasized that Turkey’s issue is not with Kurdish autonomy but with PKK-linked groups, which it views as a threat to national security. Metiner also supported possible state negotiations with Abdullah Öcalan if they could lead to PKK disarmament and benefit Turkey’s security.
His comments drew attention amidst ongoing discussions about Turkey’s role in Syria and its Kurdish population. Metiner pointed out that Turkey has no problem with Kurdish gains or governance as long as they don’t pose a threat to its national unity. He argued that Turkey has historically maintained strong ties with the Kurdish Regional Government in Iraq and that such relations could serve as a model for future cooperation in Syria.
Moreover, Metiner voiced support for a future dialogue between the Turkish state and Öcalan, believing that such talks could help bring peace to the region. He asserted that if Öcalan could play a role in convincing the PKK to disarm, the state should consider engaging with him.
In his remarks, Metiner underlined that Turkey’s government would never allow the formation of a “second Israel” in the region, a reference to the potential establishment of a PKK-led state in northern Syria. However, he stated that an autonomous Kurdish region established through peaceful, non-PKK means would not face opposition from Turkey.
Metiner’s comments come during a sensitive period of Turkish-Syrian relations, with new discussions around peace and security taking shape amidst shifting geopolitical dynamics.
