India
Turkey has announced that Syria’s newly formed rebel government has agreed on the necessity of dismantling Kurdish military forces, which have been crucial allies for the United States in the fight against the Islamic State in northern Syria. This development comes as nations accelerate efforts to redefine the political landscape following the downfall of the Assad regime.
During a press briefing, Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler emphasized that both Turkey and the Syrian administration are aligned on the goal of dissolving the PKK/YPG, a designation that includes Kurdish groups deemed terrorist organizations by Turkey. He stated, “In the new period, the PKK/YPG terror organization will be dissolved sooner or later.”
Despite this agreement, there has been no formal announcement detailing the specifics, and verification from officials within Syria’s transitional government remains pending. The new rebel authority, Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), which has ties to al-Qaeda, has not publicly commented on discussions with Turkey regarding Kurdish forces but has assured that religious minorities will not be harmed under their governance.
Turkey’s ongoing tensions with the U.S. over its support for Kurdish forces have been a significant point of contention. The U.S. has relied on the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State in the evolving post-Assad landscape, a strategy that contrasts sharply with Turkey’s priorities.
Minister Guler reiterated Turkey’s demands for the YPG to disarm and for foreign members of the Kurdish forces to exit Syria, aiming for their potential integration into a future Syrian security framework. He expressed Turkey’s expectations for the U.S. to reconsider its support for the YPG, asserting that “it is out of the question for the Syrian people, or the new administration, or us to allow the PKK/YPG terrorist organization to act alone.”
As the situation develops, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has engaged in dialogue with both Turkish officials and HTS regarding the principles guiding Syria’s political transition. In a joint statement with Turkey, the U.S. called for an end to hostilities in Syria during a recent summit in Jordan.
Guler highlighted Turkey’s readiness to assist in military training and cooperation if requested by the new Syrian administration, reflecting Ankara’s proactive stance in reshaping the security dynamics within the region.
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