Türkiye has reiterated its demand that the United States abandon its support for the Kurdish-led People’s Protection Units (YPG), which form the backbone of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan urged the US to reassess its alliances, particularly in the fight against ISIS in Syria. He argued that Washington should not feel compelled to support the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and its Syrian affiliate, the YPG, which Ankara considers a national security threat.
Fidan criticized the US policy of relying on the SDF to guard ISIS detainees, describing it as a “toxic issue” in US-Türkiye relations. He also warned that the YPG/SDF’s attempts to establish an autonomous region in northeastern Syria would make reconciliation with the Syrian government impossible.
While Türkiye insists on halting US support for the YPG, White House National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes acknowledged a recent call by jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan to disband the group and lay down arms, describing it as a significant development.
He expressed hope that this move would reassure Türkiye about US partners in northeastern Syria—the YPG/SDF—in the fight against ISIS. Hughes’ remarks, however, reaffirm Washington’s continued support for the Kurdish fighters, despite Türkiye’s objections and Ankara’s willingness to assist the Syrian government in taking over the responsibility of securing ISIS prison camps.
Meanwhile, Turkish forces and Ankara-backed Syrian factions have been engaged in clashes with the SDF in eastern Aleppo for the third consecutive month, particularly around Tishrin Dam and Qarah Qozak Bridge. SDF-affiliated media reported on Friday that the group had shot down four Turkish drones in the area amid escalating tensions.
In response, Turkish artillery bombarded villages in western Ayn al-Arab (Kobani) on Friday.
