Turkey is signaling a potential new military operation in northern Syria, accusing the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) of exploiting regional instability to expand its influence and failing to adhere to a key de-escalation agreement.
A senior Syrian official, speaking to Reuters, warned that Ankara may launch an offensive against the SDF if the March Agreement signed between the Kurdish-led group and Damascus is not implemented by the end of the year. The official noted that Ankara views the autonomous administration in northern Syria as a "direct threat to its national security" and believes that delays are strengthening the SDF's position.
The official added that Turkey feels it has been granted "freedom of action" by the United States in dealing with the SDF, increasing the likelihood of military escalation if the political process remains stalled.
The accusations were sharpened by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who directly charged the SDF with using the ongoing Israeli-Syrian tensions to its advantage. "The SDF is stalling in implementing the March Agreement with Damascus, banking on renewed instability to improve its negotiating position," Fidan stated at a conference in Rome.
Fidan also claimed that members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which Ankara considers a terrorist organization, are infiltrating Syria from Iraq and Iran to bolster SDF ranks. "Turkey will not stand idly by in the face of these threats," he warned.
In a more diplomatic but firm message, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed frustration with the slow pace of a political resolution. While urging dialogue, he positioned Turkey as a protector of all communities in the region. "Turkey is a guarantor of the security and safety of Kurds, just as it is for other communities," Erdogan said in an official speech.
He extended an offer for collaboration, adding, "Those who align with Ankara and Damascus will come out ahead," reaffirming Turkey's commitment to stability.
In response, the Autonomous Administration, the SDF's civilian wing, strongly refuted the allegations of separatism. "Accusations of separatism are disconnected from reality," the administration said in a statement, clarifying that its decentralized governance model is not an attempt to break away from Syria.
The administration reiterated its commitment to a political solution based on UN Resolution 2254 and stated its readiness to implement the March Agreement, provided that Damascus establishes a "clear timeline." The statement concluded with a call for the recognition of diverse identities in northeastern Syria, warning that "confrontational rhetoric undermines peaceful coexistence."
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