Turkey's Stance on Military Action Against Kurdish Forces in Syria

Wednesday 08 January 2025 - 09:38

Turkey has warned of potential military action against Kurdish forces in Syria unless they accept Ankara’s terms for a peaceful transition following the recent overthrow of Bashar al-Assad. According to Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, if the Syrian Kurdish militia, the YPG, refuses to meet Turkey’s demands, the country is prepared to take necessary military steps.

Fidan emphasized that Turkey is aiming to become a central player in the stabilization of Syria, particularly as the country’s political situation evolves. Despite mentioning the possibility of military intervention, he clarified that the newly appointed Syrian leadership, which Turkey has supported, should be capable of handling the Kurdish forces independently.

The overthrow of Bashar al-Assad by opposition forces last month sparked concerns over Turkey’s next move, particularly in relation to the Kurdish forces. Ankara accuses the YPG of having ties with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a group that has been involved in a long-standing conflict with the Turkish government. The PKK is recognized by Turkey, the U.S., and the European Union as a terrorist organization, and the ongoing conflict has resulted in over 40,000 casualties.

Turkey’s security strategy is heavily influenced by the presence of the YPG in Syria, as Ankara views the group as closely linked to the PKK and its separatist goals. In this context, Fidan urged that foreign fighters from countries like Turkey, Iran, and Iraq must leave Syria. He expressed concern that there is no indication of this happening yet and emphasized Turkey’s patience on this matter, while continuing to observe ongoing negotiations between Damascus and the YPG.

In the northern parts of Syria, Turkish-backed factions resumed their military operations against Kurdish forces coinciding with the November 27 offensive that led to Assad’s removal. Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria's interim leader, who has established ties with Turkey, suggested the integration of Kurdish forces into Syria’s national army.

Fidan expressed hope that the new Syrian leadership would address the YPG issue and noted that Turkey was willing to give time for the situation to resolve through dialogue. However, he reiterated that Turkey’s demands were clear: foreign fighters should depart, PKK leaders should leave Syria, and those remaining should lay down their arms and join the new government. These steps, according to Fidan, are necessary for a smooth and peaceful transition.

When questioned about potential Turkish intervention in Syria despite U.S. support for the YPG, Fidan reaffirmed Turkey’s readiness to act, citing past military actions in Syrian regions such as Afrin, Ras al-Ain, and Tal Abyad. He made it clear that Turkey would not hesitate to take similar actions again if necessary, stating that national security is the country’s top priority and there are no alternative options.