Turkey’s foreign minister stated the country would reconsider its military presence in Syria if new Syrian leaders eliminate Kurdish militants classified as terrorists. The remarks were made during the Munich Security Conference, emphasizing the integration of armed groups into a unified national army. Ongoing tensions between Turkish-backed forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces highlight the complexity of the situation.
BEIRUT — The Turkish foreign minister announced that Turkey is willing to reevaluate its military presence in northeastern Syria contingent upon the new Syrian leadership’s success in dismantling the Kurdish militant group deemed a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union. Hakan Fidan made this statement at the Munich Security Conference while Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani offered no response.
Fidan reiterated that Turkey cannot accept any form of armed militia and emphasized the importance of integrating such groups into a unified national army in Syria. He remarked on the openness of the current Syrian leaders to this proposal. The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) has long fought for greater autonomy for Kurds, contributing to Turkey’s heightened military presence in the region after the ousting of former President Bashar Assad.
Al-Shaibani supported the disarmament of all non-state factions and advocated for the inclusion of Kurds in the new Syrian government. Despite many insurgent groups agreeing to join a new Syrian army, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a U.S.-backed Kurdish alliance, remain resistant to such terms. This refusal has led to continued military confrontations with Turkish-backed forces in northern Syria.
Hind Kabawat from the Center for World Religions, Diplomacy, and Conflict Resolution expressed, “Kurds are part of the Syrian nation but they can’t have their own army, as this is against our unity.” The Turkish military’s operations have increased as it targets Kurdish forces in the region, underscoring the complex dynamics at play within Syria’s ongoing conflict.
In summary, Turkey is poised to reassess its military presence in Syria depending on the actions taken by the new Syrian leadership against Kurdish militants. The dialogue at the Munich Security Conference highlights Turkey’s insistence on integrating armed groups into a national army while illustrating the ongoing friction with the SDF. As the situation unfolds, the integration of Kurdish forces into the Syrian political landscape remains a critical challenge.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
