German Foreign Minister Analene Berbock warned Turkey yesterday against a military escalation in areas controlled by Kurdish militias in northeastern Syria, DPA reported, BTA reported.
"The security of Kurds in particular is essential for a free and secure future of Syria," Berbock said in Ankara after talks with her Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan. "I was pleased to hear that the Turkish foreign minister also sees things this way," Berbock told reporters.
The warning comes amid concerns that Ankara and Syrian militias may continue to attack the US-backed Syrian Kurdish militia "People's Protection Forces" (SDF) in areas along Turkey's border with Syria, including the town of Kobane.
While the United States sees the SDF as a key player in its fight against the "Islamic State" extremists, Turkey classifies the group as a terrorist organization. Fidan has asked the SDF to lay down its arms, according to the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
Turkey has "legitimate concerns," Berbock added. She suggested that disarming the Syrian militias and integrating them into a future national security structure could be an option. At a press conference after the call with Fidan, Berbock said: "Kurdish groups must be disarmed and integrated into the national security structure," Reuters reported.
Meanwhile, two US senators introduced a bipartisan bill that would impose sanctions on Turkey, citing concerns about military actions by Turkey or groups it supports in northern Syria, Reuters reported.
Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen and Republican Senator Lindsey Graham introduced the "Counter Turkish Aggression Act of 2024" in the hope that the threat of sanctions would move the parties towards a ceasefire. But they said Washington should work with Turkey diplomatically to facilitate a sustainable ceasefire and a demilitarized zone between Turkey and Syria.