Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan rejected France’s proposal to deploy troops at the Syrian border, citing attempts to align with US interests. Tensions are rising as Turkey opposes the SDF, a group it views as terrorist-related, while France pledges ongoing support for the SDF amidst warnings from Turkey of potential military action.
On January 10, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan publicly denounced a proposal from France to deploy troops along the Syrian border, arguing that such actions were merely attempts by France to align its interests with those of the United States. The French initiative aimed to establish a safe zone aimed at alleviating tensions with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Fidan expressed skepticism about France’s influence and questioned its independent decision-making in Syria, emphasizing that Turkey would regard French views more seriously if the nation operated autonomously from the United States.
Moreover, the Turkish government categorically rejected the SDF’s proposal to have US oversight for the demilitarization of Kobane. Fidan reiterated Turkey’s position on foreign fighters affiliated with the SDF and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), urging them to depart Syria. In contrast, French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed his country’s commitment to supporting the SDF. As tensions mount, the Turkish government has issued warnings that, should their demands remain unfulfilled, they might conduct cross-border military operations against the YPG, a militia part of the SDF.
The friction between France and Turkey largely revolves around border security in Syria. Despite the lack of a public initiative from Paris regarding the defense of the Turkish-Syrian border, Macron maintains that France will persist in its backing of the SDF. The Turkish government perceives the SDF as a terrorist organization, compounding their objections to any proposals that would bolster the group’s position. Fidan reiterated that Turkey’s response to France’s military presence or proposals would hinge on France’s willingness to act independently from US interests.
In recent years, the conflict in Syria has drawn various international players to take sides, each purporting to address humanitarian crises or combat terrorism. Turkey has consistently opposed the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) due to its associations with the PKK, which Turkey designates as a terrorist organization. The proposed deployment of French troops aimed to mitigate tensions and establish a safer border but has been met with resistance from Turkish officials, reflecting the complexities of foreign military involvement in the region. In this context, Turkey’s warnings and France’s commitment to the SDF highlight diverging interests and growing tensions between these two nations over the ongoing conflict in Syria.
The strained relations between Turkey and France underscore the intricate dynamics at play regarding military involvement in Syria. Turkey’s firm rejection of France’s troop deployment proposal illustrates its commitment to opposing the SDF, which it regards as a terrorist entity. As both nations navigate their positions within the broader context of the Syrian conflict, it remains to be seen how these tensions will evolve, particularly if Turkey follows through on its threats of military action should its demands not be met.
Original Source: www.india.com
