Turkey has intensified its stance on Syria's volatile northeast, with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan declaring military presence revisions if Kurdish militants dissolve. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Fidan demanded Syria’s new leadership dismantle the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), labeled a terrorist group by NATO and the EU.
We can’t tolerate armed militia in any form,Fidan asserted, advocating for Kurdish forces to merge into Syria’s national army. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani avoided direct commentary but endorsed disarming non-state factions.
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a U.S.-backed Kurdish alliance, remain central to the crisis. Turkey views the SDF as a PKK proxy, triggering clashes with Turkish-backed insurgent groups. While most factions agreed to integrate into Syria’s reformed military, the SDF refuses—heightening regional instability.
Critical developments include:
- Escalating Turkish-backed operations since President Assad’s 2023 ouster
- Ongoing U.S.-Turkey tensions over SDF alliances
- Syria’s proposal to include Kurds in governance minus autonomous forces
Hind Kabawat, a conflict resolution expert, stressed during the conference:
Kurds are part of Syria’s nation but can’t have their own army.Analysts warn withdrawal threats signal Ankara’s readiness to leverage military strategy for geopolitical bargaining.