Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Jordan will collaborate to combat the Islamic State, enabling the U.S. to reconsider its support for Kurdish militants. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan highlights the YPG’s ties to terrorism and expresses hope for a U.S. policy shift. The situation remains tense with ongoing military operations against Kurdish forces in Syria and Iraq.
Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Jordan are uniting efforts to combat the remnants of the Islamic State (IS) group. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan asserted that this collaboration could facilitate the United States in severing its ties with Kurdish militants in Syria, particularly the People’s Defense Units (YPG), which Turkey and other nations classify as terrorists due to their affiliation with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
The YPG has been instrumental in fighting IS alongside U.S. special forces and is currently managing thousands of IS prisoners in northeast Syria. Fidan emphasized, “The basic problem is that the YPG has been guarding Daesh inmates and keeping them in prison … they’re not doing anything else.” He further stated that the involved countries are prepared to address this challenge collaboratively and that initial discussions have already commenced.
During a news conference in Doha, Qatar, Fidan highlighted that the new Syrian government has expressed its willingness to assume responsibility for IS prisoners. Turkey urges U.S. President Donald Trump to reconsider his support for the Kurdish fighters, citing their connections to the PKK, which has a longstanding history of insurgency against Turkey since 1984. Fidan remarked, “We hope that President Trump will make the right decision and right this wrong.”
Since the onset of an offensive by Syrian rebels in November, Turkish-backed forces have actively targeted Kurdish military factions, capturing several towns. Concurrently, Turkey’s Defense Ministry reported the elimination of 23 alleged PKK/YPG militants in northern Syria. The Turkish government is advocating for a complete overhaul of the Syrian Democratic Forces to eliminate PKK affiliations and integrate them into a future Syrian military framework.
The United States currently maintains a military presence of approximately 2,000 troops in northeast Syria. President Trump previously indicated intentions to withdraw U.S. forces, a decision that sparked a Turkish offensive against the YPG in 2019. His amicable rapport with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan raises concerns and speculations about potential changes in U.S. military policy in the region.
In conclusion, Turkey’s initiative to collaborate with neighboring countries aims to eradicate the Islamic State remnants, potentially facilitating the U.S. withdrawal from Kurdish support. The ongoing conflict involving Kurdish militants underscores the complexity of regional politics, particularly concerning the YPG’s role in the anti-IS efforts. The anticipated restructuring of alliances and military forces in Syria could significantly alter the dynamics within the region, reflecting a critical juncture in the ongoing geopolitical landscape.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
