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Syria Defense Minister Rejects Kurdish Proposal to Remain Distinct Military Bloc

Fighters from the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army faction ride in a "technical" pickup truck at a position near the Tishrin Dam in the vicinity of Manbij, in the east of Syria's northern Aleppo province, on January 10, 2025 amidst ongoing battles with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). (Photo by AAREF WATAD / AFP)
Fighters from the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army faction ride in a "technical" pickup truck at a position near the Tishrin Dam in the vicinity of Manbij, in the east of Syria's northern Aleppo province, on January 10, 2025 amidst ongoing battles with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). (Photo by AAREF WATAD / AFP)
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Syria Defense Minister Rejects Kurdish Proposal to Remain Distinct Military Bloc

Fighters from the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army faction ride in a "technical" pickup truck at a position near the Tishrin Dam in the vicinity of Manbij, in the east of Syria's northern Aleppo province, on January 10, 2025 amidst ongoing battles with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). (Photo by AAREF WATAD / AFP)
Fighters from the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army faction ride in a "technical" pickup truck at a position near the Tishrin Dam in the vicinity of Manbij, in the east of Syria's northern Aleppo province, on January 10, 2025 amidst ongoing battles with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). (Photo by AAREF WATAD / AFP)

Syria's new defense minister said on Sunday it would not be right for US-backed Kurdish fighters based in the country's northeast to retain their own bloc within the broader integrated Syrian armed forces.
Speaking to Reuters at the defense ministry in Damascus, Murhaf Abu Qasra said the head of the Kurdish fighters, known as the Syrian Democratic Forces, was procrastinating in its handling of the complex issue.

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Erdogan Vows ‘Radical’ Steps to Eliminate Kurdish YPG Forces in Syria

Erdogan speaks at the eighth Ordinary Provincial Congress of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK). (Turkish presidency)
Erdogan speaks at the eighth Ordinary Provincial Congress of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK). (Turkish presidency)
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Erdogan Vows ‘Radical’ Steps to Eliminate Kurdish YPG Forces in Syria

Erdogan speaks at the eighth Ordinary Provincial Congress of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK). (Turkish presidency)
Erdogan speaks at the eighth Ordinary Provincial Congress of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK). (Turkish presidency)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stressed on Saturday that his country will soon take “radical” steps to eliminate forces linked to the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), the military backbone of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). in Syria.

Erdogan said Türkiye will show no tolerance for the YPG, which is an extension of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a group designated as a terrorist by Ankara.

The YPG occupies a third of Syria, he charged.

Turkish forces have recently expanded their attacks on SDF positions in northeast Syria amid ongoing clashes between the two sides on the frontline of Tishreen dam in the eastern countryside of Aleppo.

During remarks at the eighth Ordinary Provincial Congress of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK) in the southern province of Mersin, Erdogan said his country has provided and will continue to provide all necessary support to the Syrian people.

“Our goal is to eradicate all terrorist organizations in Syria, either smoothly or by force,” he said.

The president stressed that his country is present in Syria and other regions of the world and is following developments closely, based on a strategic vision that seeks to achieve its interest.

Ankara supports New Syrian administration

Erdogan added that by eliminating terrorists in Syria, Türkiye would ensure its security and remove the obstacles that stand in the way of the territorial integrity of Syria, its political unity and internal peace.

“Türkiye cannot feel completely secure as long as there are separatist terrorists armed in Syria,” he declared.

Moreover, Erdogan said Ankara will not pressure any Syrian refugee to return back home.

Ankara is exerting efforts to provide support to the new administration in Damascus, and is therefore “determined not to leave our Syrian brothers alone in rebuilding state institutions and the country,” he remarked.

The Turkish government will provide all necessary facilitations for Syrians wishing to return to their country, he vowed.

Clashes in eastern Aleppo

Meanwhile, Turkish forces escalated their strikes on the strategic Tishreen dam and several areas in Ain Al-Arab (Kobani) in eastern Aleppo.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on Saturday that three civilians were killed and 14 others sustained various injuries.

This came following renewed strikes by Turkish drones on an anti-Türkiye protest near Tishreen dam in the Manbij countryside in eastern Aleppo.

Similarly, it noted, Turkish fighter jets attacked the vicinity of Qarh Qouzaq bridge in the Aleppo countryside.

Turkish fighter jets also attacked a school in Al-Jadah village and a house in Deikan village in the Ain Al-Arab countryside, the Observatory said, adding that no casualties were reported.