Turkey has rejected French troop deployment proposals along its Syrian border aimed at securing a zone against the SDF. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan condemned European nations for advancing self-interests under U.S. protection while warning of potential military actions against the Kurdish YPG. The call for foreign fighters to leave Syria remains a key Turkish demand as it grapples with the implications of external support for local groups.
Turkey has expressed strong opposition to the potential deployment of French troops along its border with Syria. This proposal aims at creating a secure zone intended to mitigate tensions with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which Turkey classifies as a terrorist group. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan criticized the motivations of such European nations, which he claims utilize U.S. support to further their own interests without contributing positively to the region’s stability. He emphasized Turkey’s readiness for a cross-border offensive against the Kurdish YPG group if they fail to comply with Ankara’s demands.
Fidan reiterated Turkey’s position that foreign fighters within the SDF, backed by the U.S., should vacate Syria, alongside members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which Turkey views as an extension of the YPG. Although French officials have not formally proposed managing the border region, President Emmanuel Macron indicated that France remains committed to supporting the SDF. Meanwhile, Ilham Ahmed, representing the Kurdish administration in northern Syria, noted the possibility of a military coalition with France and the U.S. to secure the border.
Turkish officials have also dismissed a request from the SDF to demilitarize Kobane under U.S. oversight. Fidan stated that Turkey would only regard France’s input on Syria seriously if it operates independently from U.S. support, urging France to take responsibility for its own nationals detained in Syrian camps. France has justified its support for the SDF based on their significant role in combating the Islamic State (IS) in the region, highlighting the need to manage IS-affiliated detainees effectively.
The tension between Turkey and France regarding the Syrian border is rooted in Turkey’s long-standing conflict with the PKK, a group it designates as a terrorist organization. The Fear surrounding the Kurdish YPG militia, linked to the PKK, has prompted Turkey to consider military action in northeastern Syria to counteract perceived threats. The SDF’s relationship with the U.S. and support from France complicates this dynamic, as the region has been a focal point in the broader conflict involving various factions in Syria’s civil war.
In conclusion, Turkey’s rejection of the potential French troop presence on its Syrian border underscores its apprehension regarding the SDF, which it views as a threat due to its connections to the PKK. The situation emphasizes the complexity of international relations within the region, particularly with competing interests from European nations and the U.S. Any military mobilization is contingent upon these relationships and the evolving circumstances surrounding the Syrian conflict.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
