While the wars in Iraq and Syria have offered a historical opportunity for Kurdish forces to advance their right to autonomy and independence, there are also major dangers.

The recent advances by Kurdish forces in northern Syria in taking Raqqa and their capitulation and losses in northern Iraq examplify the difficulties and uneven situation that Kurdish groups face in West Asia.

We talk to Mahmut Kahraman, spokesperson for the Kurdish Democratic Community Centre of Victoria, Australia, on the significance of these recent developments.

Asia Pacific Currents provides updates of labour struggles and campaigns from the Asia Pacific region. It is produced by Australia Asia Worker Links, in the studio of 3CR Radio in Melbourne, Australia