Turkish FM: YPG/SDF only responds to force, not dialogue

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated Friday that the YPG/SDF, an organization Türkiye identifies as an extension of the outlawed PKK, is an actor that "only changes its position when it faces force." During a live interview on TRT Haber, Fidan argued that the group's history shows it cannot be moved through dialogue alone. "It either has to see force or face the threat of force," he said, commenting on recent developments in Syria, particularly the clashes in Aleppo.

Critique of SDF's Alliances and Stance

Fidan criticized the group for what he described as an uncompromising position against the Syrian government in Damascus, alleging it relies on external backing. "They say, 'If I do not accept, I will call other regional and global actors to my side,'" Fidan stated, mentioning the group's contacts with figures such as US senators and Israel. He dismissed these relations as unproductive, urging the group to seek "genuine solutions with the genuine people of the region" instead of pursuing what he termed "maximalist attitudes" and "deceptive moves."

Call for Integration and Single State Authority

The minister emphasized that the realistic path forward is the integration model outlined in the March 2025 agreement, which calls for the SDF's incorporation into Syrian state institutions. He expressed hope that the ongoing process in Aleppo would soon conclude, leading to a unified administration. "The day will come when a single state in Aleppo will begin providing services to all its citizens, regardless of ethnicity, through a single set of state institutions," Fidan said. He placed the blame for the stalled process on "the PKK’s lack of willingness to enter into this process."

Alignment of Regional Interests and Exception of Israel

Fidan noted that the objectives of regional countries and the United States largely overlap in Syria, with one exception. "Only Israel does not overlap. Israel is currently an entity that ensures its own security through a divide-and-rule tactic, keeping surrounding countries weak," he asserted. He called on Israel, if it desires genuine regional integration, to act accordingly and to support solutions that do not turn Kurdish populations against neighboring states. Fidan concluded by urging the YPG/SDF to abandon its current course and pursue a line of "peace and dialogue."