Dear analysts who are emphasizing with each tweets how the Turkish-backed factions are Arabs and how the SDF are "the Kurds" - you're not helping. Tomorrow you'll move on to your next assignment and we'll be left with the essentialization you helped reinforce.
Most of my very Arab friends are disgusted with these Turkish-backed factions and are sympathetic to the plight of the Kurds of North Syria. Many also recognize that the SDF-run region that has been betrayed is ethnically mixed. Please stop projecting "Arab vs Kurd" on us.
Yes the betrayal to the Kurds is deepest because they are an already marginalized ethnic group with a history of genocide and ethnic cleansing committed against them. Also yes this region will always have Arabs and Kurds living side by side.
But seriously, stop reinforcing this idea that it's all about Arabs pitted against Kurds. It's lazy, dangerous, damaging, and most importantly false.
