Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said developments in Syria remain a critical concern for Ankara, warning that any unrest directly impacts Turkey. Speaking to TGRT television, he criticized Israel’s involvement in Syria and voiced opposition to attempts at ethnic division under the guise of “preserving national identity.”
“Syria is next to us, and any unrest there directly affects us,” Fidan said. “We are taking the necessary measures and have delivered the required messages.” He added that the Syrian Democratic Force’s (SDF) understanding with Damascus requires a “joint establishment of a new Syria,” while emphasizing that Turkey maintains ties with other Kurdish groups open to cooperation.
Fidan also addressed comments by Turkish President Recep Erdogan, saying Ankara would not hesitate to act if threatened. “When a threat arises on our borders, we do not wait for it to strike us here,” he said.
Talks on Integration With Damascus
The SDF remains under pressure to follow through on the March 10 agreement signed between SDF commander Mazloum Abdi and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa. According to ANHA, discussions in Amman between SDF leaders and a US delegation, including Sen. Jeanne Shaheen and Rep. Joe Wilson, centered on integrating the forces into the Syrian state through a decentralized model.
A source from the autonomous administration (AANES) told ANHA that negotiations with Damascus face obstacles but remain ongoing. “Efforts by the parties sponsoring the talks between the two sides are continuing to hold new meetings, but the date for them remains unclear,” the source said.
US Messaging Raises Questions in Ankara
Reports in the Turkish press suggest a shift in the US position following meetings between Abdi and US officials. Abdulkadir Selvi, a journalist close to the government, wrote in Hürriyet that US Special Representative for Syria Tom Barrack has adopted “a softer tone.” Barrack, who once insisted on “one nation, one people, one army, and one Syria,” has reportedly floated the idea of a “looser arrangement.”
“This stance by the US ambassador has caused concern in Ankara,” Selvi wrote, suggesting the shift may signal changes in Washington’s Syria policy.
Regional Tensions Over Minority Demands
Selvi also reported that Israel has pressed the US administration to secure privileges for Druze communities under its influence in Syria. He claimed the SDF and affiliated groups are using those demands as leverage to seek similar concessions.
Amid these competing pressures, Abdi has resisted full integration into the Syrian army despite the March 10 agreement and calls from imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan. His meetings with US representatives highlight the balancing act the SDF faces as it navigates between Damascus, Washington, and regional powers.
