On a related note: the Libertarian International Brigades are an informal foreign fighter grouping involved in the Syrian conflict in particular. They are allied with the People’s Protection Units, and the Lions of Rojava (PPU’s foreign legion) in particular who espouse democratic confederalism. They may also be associated with the Kurdistan Workers Party, but it is unclear:
Having PKK on a „terrorist organisations list13” is a real treat for the adversaries of Rojava. Due to shared ideology, close ties and common enemies, it is extremely easy label Rojava as a „marxist-stalinist terrorists”, make it look like just another militant group, only pretending to be peaceful.
They also seem to be rivals of the Kurdistan Regional Government, which has top level ICANN domain so they’re fairly legitimate in the international domain:
„Kurds fight for their state” This is probably the thickest smokescreen to hide Rojava from the world. It is based on double disinformation: that Rojava is a purely Kurdish project and that the goal of Rojava is (or at least should be) to build a Kurdish state in the same sense as the KRG14 does. It has many dangerous implications. First, it strips Rojava off all revolutionary character. Second, makes it look like separatists among separatists (as the „legitimate separatists15” are KRG). In the public narrative, especially in the West, the „golden standard of Kurdishness” is KRG. Every Kurdish movement that deviates from this, seems to be suspicious. This is of course fueled heavily by KRG propaganda, but they are just one of many stakeholders. KRG is a „domesticated form of Kurds” – which tries to join the „international community” on the terms given to them. If Rojava can be pictured as a splinter Kurdish group, just fighting sectarian war against KRG, nobody will care when Peshmerga takes over (using NATO-sourced equipment, of course).
But, just like the Lions of Rojava, aren’t a ‘Kurdish movement’, apparently:
The Kurdish cause. Keeping the image of Rojava as „Kurdish” is a dangerous opening for many types of attacks. As much as the electoral success of HDP in Turkey was built upon transgressing a stereotype of „Kurdish party”, the official image of Rojava can be changed into openly muliti-ethnic, inclusive and free from national denominations. It is complex, as there is hardly a terminology available to describe it. It is also a matter of decision, how far would Rojava separate from the nationalist Kurdish movements, which still supposedly provide certain support. I am not in a position to analyze it, but from the external image perspective, being presented as „Kurdish” creates more and more vulnerabilities for Rojava (see previous sections on Turkish and KRG propaganda).
I believe that there is a way to develop a narrative about a new society, free from the bounds of nationalism and theocracy, creatively including all ethnic, religious and social traditions. To show it in categories the Western world – at least declaratively – admires. And keep saying „Rojava”, „Rojavans”, Rojavan” and „Rojavanness” at every occasion. Make people understand that „Rojava” is, in a sense, „Kurdistan Plus”
Now to my point:
Recently, as far as I can tell, all their online communications have dissapeared. For instance here and here or even here.
IS/ISIL/ISIS/Daesh’s hackers?
Turkey?
Self censorship?
As the Kurdish saying goes: ‘Kurds have no friends but mountains’
I would ask their allies themselves, but contacting the lions of rojava or Rojava plan is probably frowned upon by Western authorities, even for academic curiosity/concern.
On a related note: the Libertarian International Brigades are an informal foreign fighter grouping involved in the Syrian conflict in particular. They are allied with the People’s Protection Units, and the Lions of Rojava (PPU’s foreign legion) in particular who espouse democratic confederalism. They may also be associated with the Kurdistan Workers Party, but it is unclear:
They also seem to be rivals of the Kurdistan Regional Government, which has top level ICANN domain so they’re fairly legitimate in the international domain:
But, just like the Lions of Rojava, aren’t a ‘Kurdish movement’, apparently:
Now to my point:
Recently, as far as I can tell, all their online communications have dissapeared. For instance here and here or even here.
IS/ISIL/ISIS/Daesh’s hackers?
Turkey?
Self censorship?
As the Kurdish saying goes: ‘Kurds have no friends but mountains’
I would ask their allies themselves, but contacting the lions of rojava or Rojava plan is probably frowned upon by Western authorities, even for academic curiosity/concern.