Turkey threat Potential Military Strike Against Kurdish Forces in Syria

Turkey has issued a stern warning, threatening military action against Kurdish forces in Syria unless they comply with Ankara’s demands following the recent shift in Syria’s political landscape.

In an interview with CNN Turk, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that if the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), whom Turkey accuses of ties to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), do not meet Turkey’s requirements, the country will take the necessary measures. This includes the possibility of a military operation. Fidan emphasized that the newly emerged leadership in Syria, which Turkey has expressed support for, has the capability to tackle the YPG independently.

The downfall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad last month, following a rebel-led uprising, has opened a new chapter in the ongoing conflict, with Turkey positioning itself as a key player in Syria’s future. Ankara views the YPG, which operates in the north of Syria, as a direct extension of the PKK, a group that has waged an insurgency against the Turkish state for decades. This long-running conflict, which has claimed over 40,000 lives, has made the YPG’s presence in Syria a critical issue for Turkey’s security strategy.

Fidan also pointed out that while a military operation remains on the table, Syria’s new leadership has the necessary authority to confront the YPG without external intervention. Turkey is keen to assert influence in Syria’s stabilization process while addressing the Kurdish threat along its borders.