Turkey has opposed the potential deployment of French troops to secure the Syrian border, voicing concerns over the SDF’s ties to terrorist organizations. Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan criticized the motives of European countries participating in U.S.-led military operations in Syria and emphasized Turkey’s desire for independent engagement. Additionally, he called on France to address its own nationals linked to terrorism before intervening in the region’s security matters.
Turkey has issued a strong denunciation of proposals for the deployment of French troops along its border with Syria. The proposed presence aims to establish a secure zone to mitigate tensions with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), recognized by Ankara as a terrorist entity. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan criticized certain European nations for utilizing military engagements under U.S. auspices to promote their own interests, asserting that such actions do not yield genuine benefits for the region or the European states involved.
Fidan articulated Turkey’s position during a press conference in Istanbul, emphasizing the nation’s willingness to consider collaboration only if these countries are prepared to operate independently of American military support. He cautioned of possible cross-border military action into northeastern Syria targeting Kurdish YPG militias, who comprise a significant faction within the SDF, should these groups fail to meet Turkey’s demands. Additionally, Fidan insisted that foreign fighters within the SDF—many receiving U.S. backing—must exit Syria, irrespective of their national origins.
While French President Emmanuel Macron has not officially proposed the safeguarding of the Turkish-Syrian border, he affirmed France’s commitment to supporting the SDF, which remains pivotal in Syria’s protracted civil conflicts. Kurdish officials from northern Syria expressed their willingness to collaborate with the United States and France to secure the border stretching between Syria and Turkey. However, Turkish officials rejected the SDF’s recent demilitarization proposal for the city of Kobane, supervised by the U.S.
Fidan articulated conditions for France’s involvement, stating it must first assume responsibility for its nationals associated with terrorism detained in Syria. He questioned France’s support for terrorist affiliations while neglecting the management of its own detainees, labeling this inconsistency as indefensible. France has defended its backing of the SDF by highlighting its critical role in combating the Islamic State (IS) within Syria.
The article outlines escalating tensions between Turkey and Western nations regarding military presence and operations in northern Syria, particularly involving the SDF. Turkey has long viewed the YPG as an extension of the PKK, a Kurdish militant group that has instigated a violent insurgency against the Turkish government for decades. As the SDF operates with U.S. support, Turkey perceives this collaboration as a threat, consequently delivering stern warnings regarding its potential military interventions in Syria should the SDF not heed Turkish directives. The geopolitical complexities surrounding the Syrian civil war and the positions of various state actors, including France, complicate the already fraught situation in the region.
In summary, Turkey has firmly rejected the notion of a French military presence along its Syrian border, reiterating its position that operation under U.S. support does not meet their criteria for collaboration. As tensions rise, Ankara remains vigilant regarding the activities of the SDF and threats posed by groups it characterizes as terrorist organizations. The statements from Turkish officials underscore Turkey’s insistence on sovereignty and strict terms for foreign involvement in the region, emphasizing accountability for terrorist affiliations over international support.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
