Türkiye considers military operation against Kurdish groups in Syria
Illustrative photo: Türkiye may conduct a military operation in Syria (aa.com.tr)
Türkiye may initiate a military operation in Syria against Kurdish armed groups. Ankara has set certain conditions for the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which it considers a terrorist organization, and the Syrian Democratic Forces, reports CNN Türk, citing Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
The Turkish official emphasized that Syria must "address the YPG issue."
Fidan said that they, as a state, had been working on the issue for years. He added that, with the new reality, they continued on their path with various scenarios. He emphasized that the most important of these was that the new administration in Syria must, of course, accept the issue. It must also take necessary measures to ensure the national and regional integrity of the country.
Fidan also commented on the "ultimatums or conditions" for Kurdish groups in Syria.
Fidan explained that if they did not want a military operation in the region, either from them or from the new Syrian administration, the conditions were clear. He stated that they presented these conditions simply and truthfully, with nothing and no one hidden. He listed their conditions, saying that international terrorists from other countries must leave the country. He also said that the leadership of the PKK and the leadership of the terrorist organization must leave Syria.
On the other hand, he added, Syrian Kurds who are not members of the PKK should "participate and live a normal life without harm to their life or property."
The Turkish minister said that this meant the new Syrian administration must guarantee it for them, as it was one of their conditions.
He stressed that the life and property of Syrian and Kurdish citizens "will also be safe, and they will join the new administration — living there as equal citizens."
The Turkish Foreign Minister stated that if the expected actions were not taken regarding the terrorist organization YPG, the necessary steps would be taken. He added that this would involve a military operation.
Fidan also said that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had stated, "He will say it once and will say it again."
The Turkish minister emphasized that if there were no results, the legitimate option would be a military operation in Syria.
As a reminder, the Turkish military occasionally strikes targets linked to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in Syria. It also conducts similar operations in Iraq from time to time. Ankara labels this organization as a terrorist group.
Notably, various factions of the PKK, as well as the party itself, claim responsibility for attacks, explosions, and other acts of violence within Türkiye. In particular, in October 2024, the Kurdistan Workers' Party stated that its so-called Immortal Battalion carried out an attack on a defense facility, TUSAŞ, in Türkiye.
It was also reported that in June of the previous year, the Turkish Armed Forces killed four fighters from the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Syria in drone strikes. Ankara accuses this group of having ties to the banned Kurdish militants in Türkiye.
