Turkey’s defense ministry official stated on Thursday that the country’s military is prepared to offer assistance to Syria in the conflict with Kurdish fighters in Aleppo, pending a request from Damascus. Additionally, Ankara’s top diplomat highlighted ongoing collaborative efforts with Syrian and American officials to quell the violence.
The recent clashes in Aleppo between Syrian government forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Defence Forces (SDF) erupted following the failure to meet a deadline for integrating the Kurdish fighters into the main Damascus military. The defense ministry official in Ankara characterized the clashes as part of a “counter-terror operation,” emphasizing Turkey’s unequivocal support for Syria’s fight against terrorist groups.
In alignment with its longstanding commitment to aid its allies in Syria, Turkey reiterated its readiness to provide support upon Syria’s request. The animosity towards the Kurdish SDF, viewed as an extension of the banned PKK and a significant threat along Turkey’s southern border, has been a focal point for Ankara.
Turkey has persistently advocated for the implementation of the 10 March deal, aiming to integrate the Kurds’ semi-autonomous administration and military into the Syrian military and security structures. However, the differing aspirations for decentralized governance by the Kurds and the rejection of this notion by Syria’s new leadership have hindered the agreement’s execution, escalating tensions.
The conflict in Aleppo commenced with a series of armed assaults earlier this week, resulting in casualties and displacement of residents. The death toll has now reached 17, with accusations exchanged between the conflicting parties. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan underscored Turkey’s engagement in dialogues with Damascus and Washington to resolve the impasse, attributing the deadlock to the SDF’s unwavering stance.
Fidan expressed hope for a peaceful resolution without further bloodshed, emphasizing the necessity for the SDF to relinquish its control for the sake of Syrian peace and stability. Meanwhile, Parliamentary speaker Numan Kurtulmus cautioned against Israeli interference in the crisis, responding to Israeli criticism of the government’s actions in Aleppo. Kurtulmus warned against divisive tactics based on ethnicity, religion, or sect, emphasizing the importance of unity.