- Turkey intensifies monitoring of Syria-Kurdish SDF security integration
- Foreign Minister Fidan warns of hidden threats in the agreement
- SDF’s U.S. backing clashes with Turkey’s terror designation
- Disarmament demands spotlight regional stability efforts
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced heightened vigilance over a recent military agreement between Syria’s government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The deal, formed after clashes between pro-Assad forces and SDF-aligned groups, aims to integrate Kurdish militias into Syria’s national army—a move Ankara views as a potential security risk. Fidan emphasized Turkey’s unresolved concerns during urgent diplomatic talks in Syria, stating, While agreements may appear cooperative, they risk embedding long-term dangers.
The SDF, a U.S.-backed coalition central to combating ISIS, controls vast territories in northeastern Syria. Turkey designates the SDF and its YPG wing as terrorist entities due to their ties to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), banned in Turkey since 2013. This classification complicates U.S.-Turkey relations, as Washington relies on Kurdish forces for regional counterterrorism. Analysts suggest the integration deal could strain NATO unity, pushing Turkey toward unilateral military action akin to 2018’s Operation Olive Branch in Afrin.
Fidan revealed Syria’s interim leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, assured Turkey that YPG units would fully disband into the Syrian army. However, Ankara demands visible disarmament, fearing autonomous Kurdish governance near its border. Life must normalize for all Syrians—Kurds, Arabs, Turkmens—without separatist agendas,Fidan asserted. This stance aligns with Turkey’s broader strategy to prevent a Kurdish statelet, which it claims fuels domestic insurgencies.
Geopolitical analysts highlight three critical insights: First, the U.S. faces mounting pressure to balance support for Kurdish allies with Turkey’s NATO partnership. Second, Syria’s regime may exploit the deal to reclaim SDF-held regions, weakening U.S. influence. Third, economic incentives, like joint Turkish-Syrian infrastructure projects, could emerge as peacebuilding tools. A regional case study of Iraq’s Sinjar Agreement (2020) shows how militia integration can reduce tensions—a model Turkey might advocate.
With Syria’s war entering its 13th year, this agreement tests fragile alliances. As Turkey mobilizes border troops, the international community watches for escalation. For now, Fidan’s rhetoric underscores Ankara’s red lines: no Kurdish autonomy and no tolerance for cross-border threats.
