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Turkey Threatens Military Action Against Kurdish Forces in Syria Amid Transition

Turkey has issued a warning that it will launch a military operation against Kurdish forces in Syria unless they accept Ankara’s conditions for a "bloodless" transition following the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad last month.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan made the statement late on Tuesday during an interview with CNN Turk, stating that Turkey is prepared to take action if the People’s Protection Units (YPG) fail to comply with its demands. Fidan emphasized that Turkey seeks to be a key player in the stabilization of Syria after Assad’s ousting, particularly with respect to Kurdish forces that Turkey links to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a group it has long labeled as a terrorist organization.

The PKK has been in conflict with the Turkish government for decades, and the ongoing violence has resulted in over 40,000 deaths. Turkey sees the YPG, which operates in northern Syria, as an extension of the PKK due to their shared ideology of ethno-nationalist separatism.

Fidan confirmed that a "military operation" could be a possible course of action, though he added that the newly established Syrian leadership, which has gained Turkey's support, would have the capacity to combat the YPG independently. He noted, however, that Turkey was ready to wait for further developments and ongoing negotiations between Damascus and the YPG.

The situation in Syria became more complicated after the overthrow of Assad by opposition forces on November 27, raising the possibility of Turkey’s direct military intervention. Fidan reiterated Turkey's demand for all foreign fighters in Syria, particularly those from Turkey, Iran, and Iraq, to leave the country immediately, calling for further action from the new Syrian leadership.

On Sunday, the new Syrian interim leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, suggested that Kurdish forces should be integrated into the national army, a proposal Turkey supports. Fidan echoed this sentiment, stating that for a smooth and peaceful transition, Kurdish fighters must disarm, leave the PKK leadership, and join the new Syrian government system.

Turkey has previously launched military operations in northern Syria, including in Afrin, Ras al-Ain, and Tal Abyad, targeting Kurdish groups. Fidan made it clear that Turkey would not hesitate to intervene again if necessary, citing national security concerns as the driving force behind its military strategy. "We did it in the past, and we will do it again if required," he said.
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