Turkey to Watch Syrian-Kurdish Alliance Closely

ISTANBUL — On Friday, Turkey’s foreign minister revealed that the country is keeping a close eye on a new agreement between the Syrian government and a Kurdish-led group backed by the U.S., as it raises concerns about potential threats to Turkey’s safety.
The minister, Hakan Fidan, shared these apprehensions during an interview on Turkish TV100, following a sudden visit to Syria. Turkey communicated its worries to Syrian officials concerning the agreement.
“If this agreement is crafted with good intentions, that’s commendable, but it might harbor future complications or risks,” Fidan commented. “Turkey is vigilantly observing these developments.”
The recent agreement aims to integrate the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into the Syrian administration, a move that follows recent violent clashes between government forces and supporters of the ousted leader, Bashar Assad.
Fidan clarified that Turkey does not see this agreement as granting autonomy to the SDF. He emphasized that no community should feel marginalized, but rather valued as part of a broader prosperous society, benefiting equally from opportunities.
Operating mainly in northeastern Syria, the SDF is a Kurdish military alliance associated with the U.S. However, Turkey views the SDF, along with its main faction, the People’s Protection Units (YPG), as terrorists due to their ties with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, which Turkey has banned.
When asked about the potential integration of the YPG and SDF into the Syrian army without disarming, Fidan mentioned discussions held with Syria’s interim leaders, including Ahmad al-Sharaa, during which top Turkish intelligence officials were present. Turkey remains cautious, continually evaluating the situation.
According to Fidan, al-Sharaa assured that the agreement’s terms demand the complete integration of the YPG into the Syrian military. “Al-Sharaa conveyed that the deal’s current articles align with Turkish interests, incorporating the YPG into the army,” Fidan stated.
“From our perspective, the new Syrian leadership needs to take proactive measures to terminate YPG’s occupation and lawlessness,” Fidan remarked, referring to the group’s ongoing hold in the region.
He further underscored that Turkey will stay vigilant regarding future developments, insisting that normalcy should return for everyone in Syria, including Kurds, Arabs, Turkmens, Christians, and Alawites.