Against the backdrop of the Syrian government’s offensive in the Kurdish‑dominated northeast, the aid organisation Medico International has warned that a new civil war could erupt. It urged the German federal government to press the Syrian transitional authority to prioritize stability.
“The gentle hope is that an agreement can be reached that allows both sides to coexist” said Anita Starosta, a Syria expert for Medico International, in an interview with the German Editorial Network’s weekend editions. “That would be the best outcome, even though it still feels wrong, because it is clear how much autonomy will be lost. If the talks fail and the Syrian forces push further into the autonomous regions, a new civil war could break out, and a large portion of the local population would likely leave the country”.
Starosta added that the Kurdish population has lost trust in the transitional government because of the army’s offensive. “They are suffering from a collective trauma” she said. “This trauma is resurfacing right now”.
She cautioned that Germany’s policy toward Syria must not be driven by a purely domestic agenda that focuses mainly on deportations. “Stability, human rights, and the pursuit of violent crimes in Syria must remain at the forefront. For this reason, the Kurdish side also needs to be included in the government’s discussions”.
