In a strategic development aimed at eradicating the remaining presence of the Islamic State (IS) group in Syria, Turkey has announced its intention to collaborate with neighboring countries, including Syria, Iraq, and Jordan. This coalition not only strengthens regional security but also opens the door for the United States to reconsider its alliance with Kurdish militants in Syria, according to Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who spoke at a recent news conference in Doha, Qatar.
The partnership comes at a critical juncture, given Washington’s longstanding association with the Kurdish-led forces, a relationship that has been a point of contention for Turkey. Turkey perceives the People’s Defense Units (YPG) as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which is internationally recognized as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the European Union.
The YPG, a significant component of the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, has played a pivotal role in combatting IS alongside American special forces. Currently, they are responsible for guarding thousands of IS detainees in northeast Syria. However, Fidan has highlighted a fundamental issue: The basic problem is that the YPG has been guarding Daesh inmates and keeping them in prison ... they’re not doing anything else. This statement underscores Turkey's stance on the necessity of a collective regional effort against IS.
Fidan further stated, Turkey, Iraq, Syria, and Jordan need to come together to fight Daesh. We are capable of doing that and, God willing, this is the step we will be taking as four countries in the near future. We have already done the preliminary talks for that process. This joint initiative is geared towards taking over the role of handling IS prisoners and ensuring comprehensive security measures are in place, with hints from the new Syrian government showing a willingness to assume responsibility for these detainees.
Ankara is advocating for a recalibration of U.S. support away from the Kurdish fighters, whom Turkey characterizes as terrorists due to their PKK ties. Fidan articulated Turkey's position, urging, We hope that President Trump will make the right decision and rectify this wrong ... it is an open wound that needs to be closed as soon as possible.
The announcement coincides with Turkish-backed Syrian rebel offensives aimed at capturing regions from Kurdish forces, showcasing Turkey’s ongoing efforts to exert pressure on Kurdish fighters both in Syria and northern Iraq. Recently, the Turkish Defense Ministry reported that its forces neutralized 23 PKK/YPG terrorists in northern Syria, although further details were not disclosed.
Turkey also envisions a future where the Syrian Democratic Forces are purged of PKK affiliations and are reintegrated into a consolidated Syrian military. Currently, the U.S. maintains a contingent of approximately 2,000 troops in northeast Syria. This setup has occasionally strained U.S.-Turkey relations, especially during Trump's presidency, where attempts to withdraw troops from Syria sparked Turkish military intervention against the YPG in 2019.
The evolving dynamics of the U.S.'s military strategy, coupled with the personal rapport between Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, have fueled expectations that U.S. military disengagement from the region might be revisited, reshaping the geopolitical landscape of this volatile region.
