Empire of the Ring

“As you know, as the Kurdish forces in Syria strengthened their armament, they had judged that it could hinder the export of oil to Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government.”

The Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan explained in a calm tone to Youngho.

He was the hard-line leader that Youngho asked for Park Jong-il to bring when he returned from Syria.

“So the Kurds in Iraq and Turkey have a secret relationship because of oil.”

“Yes. It’s a shame, but our own people are holding us back. And they must be afraid that we’re linked to the Kurds in Turkey.”

The Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq had a huge oil reserve, so it shared interests with the Turkish government.

In order to combat the IS, the U.S. had deployed about 2,000 troops to Syria and cooperated with the Kurdish militia and successfully recaptured northern Syria. To prevent the IS from re-establishing, it also encouraged the creation of a Kurdish border garrison in northern Syria.

However, if the Kurdistan Regional Government took over Syria when there was already one established in Iraq, it would be a huge pressure for Turkey since it had 15 million Kurds living in its territory.

That was why Turkey began its attack on Syria although it was against the will of the United States and despite the huge international backlash.

“Are you incompatible with the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government?”

“They’re also hostile to the Kurds in Iran. That’s why we can’t approve of them.”

“How long do you think Syria’s Kurdish government will survive?”

“What do mean?”

“You must know that neighboring countries don’t want Kurdish people’s independence. It is difficult to predict the future of the Kurds here. So I’m suggesting this. Why don’t you all move to Kazakhstan and start a new life?”

“…”

“How long do you think the current map of the world will last? I expect that it will change a lot within 30 years. When that happens, you can make your own country on your native land. I will help you.”

“Your Highness, we have received many such promises from the great powers during the two World Wars, but we’re still wandering from place to place.”

“I’ll give you my word in the name of Princess Jelyan.”

“It’s not that I don’t believe what you say, it’s that once we settle down in Kazakhstan, our will to achieve independence will disappear. Not to mention, the Kurds scattered around different countries are already losing their identity.”

Youngho was inwardly surprised at his remark because he said it as if he had peeped into Youngho’s heart. When people settled down in Kazakhstan and lived in comfortable environments, they would assimilate naturally, and that was what Youngho intended.

“Do you and other supporters of the Kurdish autonomous government intend to stay in Syria?”

“Even if there were only a few left, we will still have a Kurdistan Regional Government in Syria. I can’t leave because all the blood that had been shed for this land will be a waste if I did. But I will not stop the militias and the residents from leaving Syria to go to Kazakhstan. Please help them live there happily.”

“If you look around the Arirang royal territory, you can see that there is a river. The Kurds will live around it. Kazakhstan is home to many ethnic groups, and even though we don’t allow their autonomy, we respect each ethnic group’s identity. If you change your mind, you’ll be welcomed here any time.”

“I will never forget your kindness to all Kurds.”

He did not seem like he would change his mind so easily, so Youngho did not try to persuade him anymore.

It was unclear how many Kurds would stay in Syria, but there was only a rough future for them. It was questionable whether the Kurdish regional government could be maintained with a small number of militias and residents, but Youngho had no choice but to wish the best for such a determination.

“Kazakh is always open. And if you need any help, please ask through the U.S. Intelligence Service. I’ll help you as much as I can.”

“Are you connected to the U.S. Intelligence Service?”

“I have a lot of friends in America. They’ve been very helpful this time, too.”

“I see.”

At Youngho’s words, the expression of Ocalan turned a little bright.

It could be a small connection between the Kurdish regional government and the Kazakh royal family.

“When the migration is over, the Turkish attack will resume. Please pay special attention to civilian injuries. I don’t want to see Princess Jelyan suffer.”

“If we can’t hold out much, I’ll send people to the Mediterranean.”

“Please contact me if you change your mind even before that. I’ll try to persuade the Turkish government to delay the attack.”

***

The biggest reason for the hard-liners’ insistence on the regional government in Syria was that there were unexpectedly few applicants for migration.

Youngho or Eriksson expected at least 1.5 million applicants, but so far, the number fell slightly short of a million. It was because Kurds were scattered around the country, not only living in northern Syria.

The Kurds who lived in northern Syria were united in their determination to keep their regional government. They were about to leave when the Turkish attacks seemed that it would never cease, but now that there was no attack, they took this as an opportunity to reorganize themselves.

“They earned time, so they must be thinking to build air-raid shelters or something.”

“Maybe so. They are planning to put all the facilities underground and prepare for upcoming battles.”

“I’m not forcing people to come, so I’m going to have to leave the rest to the US CIA. Michael will love to hear the news.”

“I’ve met people who want to stay, but they’re determined to die. They’re unstoppable.”

This time, Turkey would also act harsher. It may even mobilize weapons of mass destruction.

“You should go to Turkey.”

“Why?”

“I need you to make some time by inflating the number of migrants.”

“Turkey also has an intelligence service, so the government must have a rough estimate of migrants.”

“Let’s just exaggerate and say that we’re expecting two million people. Turkey won’t resume the attack when the migration is still going on.”

“I guess the Director of Intelligence’s job is lying everywhere.”

“It’s better for us to accept even one more person by extending the migration duration.”

What needed to be rushed was building a temporary camp in the royal territory.

Although it was early March, Kazakhstan was still in the middle of winter.

People would easily get sick in this weather since they were from relatively warm Syria. To prevent that, the sandwich panel assembly building was better than using large tents. The experience of receiving Uyghur refugees was good news for the Kurds.

“Take our agents with you, too. I want to put some of them among the Kurdish militia as people in contact.”

“That’s a good idea. There are quite a lot of U.S. soldiers, so they can stay with them.”

“I’ll call Michael for help. I have to deliver the good news that the hard-liners will be staying in Syria, anyway.”

After Park Jong-il left, there was an emergency at the royal territory.

It was urgent to build temporary camps and prepare relief supplies for hundreds of thousands of migrants.

The wheat produced in the royal territory had always been in stock for years, but the problem was daily necessities such as clothes and blankets. Kazakhstan was now barely self-sufficient, so the prices would rise if all of them were supplied from the domestic market.

That was why Youngho was going to ask the U.S. for help. The U.S. was the only country that could supply such a huge amount of goods.

The Kurdish migration issue was not just a matter for Kazakhstan but also was in the interests of the U.S., so the U.S. would have to help.

***

Michael’s prediction was met as he had previously said that he would decide whether or not to pass on weapons to the Iraqi Kurdish forces based on how many Kurds would be left in Syria.

-Your Highness calls me frequently these days. Have you met the Kurdish leader yet?

“He’s a fine man. He said that he won’t object the moderates’ migration. And I think the Syria issue is resolved the way you wanted.”

-What are you talking about?

“The hard-liners will stick to the regional government in Syria. I think about half of the militia will be left.”

-Ha! I knew they’d make that decision. They worked so hard on the regional government. It won’t be easy to abandon it now.

“I’ve also decided to help the Syrian Kurdish militia. I’d like the U.S. intelligence service to be our medium.”

-That’s very nice to hear. So we’re back together like old times.

“Please help us put our agents in the U.S. base there.”

-Of course, we’ll provide convenience. I’ll call the army.

Michael welcomed Youngho’s joining.

It was an opportunity to make up for what had been interrupted by Turkish air raids.

“The Kurds will take some time before migrating to Kazakhstan. Would there be enough for the Kurdish militia to prepare?”

-How long can you delay the migration process?

“We plan to move 100,000 people a month. It takes about a year.”

-All the Syrian Kurdish militia will be able to go underground during that period.

“As long as the militias are safe, can you press the Kurds to encourage more civilians to move?”

-I should do that for you in return for your cooperation. But will your relations to Turkey be fine? It’s like stabbing Turkey’s back.

“The national interest is the priority even though Turkey is our brother country.”

-You’ve become more like a politician now. You don’t care about your ally when it comes to your national interests.

“Hey, I won’t be so obvious since that’s also related to our national interest.”

-Hahaha…

Michael laughed for a while then continued.

-Duke, the Kurds had been fooled by the great powers. They’ll be touched by even small considerations. So try to earn their hearts.

“I need to provide them with more daily necessities to do that, but our daily production capacity is far short. We need help from the U.S. government or the U.N.”

-It’s something to be praised for accepting refugees. We won’t be an ally if we can’t help you with that, I’ll even arrange a loan if necessary.

The fact that even a loan was mentioned meant that he knew how much money it would take to accept refugees. Since Kazakhstan had a weak economic structure, spending such huge money would deeply affect its economy.

“A loan? How much are you thinking?”

-I should discuss it with the government. The U.S. should also save its face at this opportunity.

“I assume you’ve reached an agreement with Turkey already.”

-What are you talking about? Haven’t you seen how Turkey acted against our will?

Strong negativity was said to be positive.

Youngho was talking on the phone, but he could tell that Michael was waving his hands to deny Youngho’s speculation.

“So if it’s not a satisfactory loan, I’ll continue to think that you had a deal with Turkey.”

Providing an unwanted loan meant that the U.S. and Turkey might have come to a conclusion to drive the Kurds out of Syria as soon as possible.

It was a deal that could not be harmful to Kazakhstan in any way. Turkey would remove its old problem, and Kazakhstan would be getting brave Kurdish warriors.