Erdogan Expects Allies to Withdraw Support for Kurds Following Assad’s Fall
Turkey’s President Erdogan anticipates a withdrawal of foreign support for Kurdish fighters in Syria after Assad’s ousting. He labeled the YPG as terrorist affiliates and compared them to the Islamic State. Concurrently, Germany and the U.S. have called for disarmament of Kurdish forces and a managed transition regarding the Syrian Democratic Forces’ role, amidst escalating hostilities in the region.
President Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey has expressed expectations that foreign allies will cease support for Kurdish fighters in Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad. Erdogan indicated that there is now no justification for external backing of the Kurdish YPG forces, which have cooperated with U.S. troops. These statements were made public after Erdogan’s return from a summit in Egypt.
Germany’s Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, stated that Kurdish fighters should disarm and integrate into Syria’s national security framework. The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs revealed that Washington is collaborating with Turkey to facilitate a “managed transition” for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northern Syria.
In his remarks, Erdogan characterized the U.S.-backed YPG as akin to the Islamic State, arguing that both groups hold no future in Syria. He expressed confidence that no nation would continue ties with what he termed terrorist organizations moving forward. Erdogan emphasized that groups like the PKK and YPG must be dismantled swiftly for stability in the region.
Following discussions in Ankara, Baerbock acknowledged both the importance of Kurdish security for a free Syria and Turkey’s security concerns. Erdogan affirmed his vision for a Syria where various ethnic and religious factions coexist peacefully, calling for the eradication of threats such as the Islamic State and PKK.
Recently, clashes have intensified as Turkey and allied Syrian forces captured the city of Manbij from the SDF. The United States has pressed for a ceasefire to stabilize the situation. SDF commander Mazloum Abdi indicated that Kurdish fighters from foreign nations would depart if an agreement with Turkey were reached.
A Turkish Defence Ministry official reiterated that there is currently no ceasefire in negotiations, emphasizing that Ankara will persist with counter-terrorism actions until the PKK and YPG surrender their weapons and foreign fighters exit Syria. This summary underscores the ongoing geopolitical tensions and the critical need for resolution in the region.
In summary, President Erdogan’s comments highlight Turkey’s expectation for allies to withdraw support for Kurdish forces in Syria following the recent political upheaval. This shift in dynamics poses significant implications for the role of the Kurdish YPG and SDF, while also emphasizing the necessity of addressing Turkey’s security concerns. The evolving situation necessitates careful monitoring as regional actors engage in discussions aimed at establishing stability in a post-Assad Syria.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
