Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Tuesday that Ankara is closely monitoring the agreement between the Syrian government and the U.S.-backed Kurdish armed group the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on their integration into institutions, expressing concern about potential future threats to Turkey's security, the Associated Press reported, BTA reports.
In an interview with the Turkish channel TV100, Fidan said that Turkey had expressed its concerns to Syrian authorities during a surprise visit to Syria on Thursday.
“If there is an agreement signed with good intentions, let it be done, but there may be problems or surprises in the future,“ he said. “We in Turkey are watching them very closely.“
The agreement to integrate the SDF into the Syrian government was reached after fierce clashes erupted last week between Syrian government security forces and gunmen loyal to ousted leader Bashar al-Assad, the AP recalls.
Fidan stressed that Turkey does not perceive the agreement as granting autonomy to the SDF. “No one should feel like a minority, but should feel like a special part of a larger prosperous community, benefiting from equal opportunities,“ he added.
The SDF is a U.S.-backed Kurdish military alliance in northeastern Syria that has a presence in most of the territory of that region. Turkey designates the SDF and the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), which are under the leadership of the SDF, as terrorist organizations due to their links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has waged an armed struggle against the Turkish state for over 40 years.
The PKK is recognized as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union.
Fidan noted that the question of whether the SDF and the YPG could be integrated into the Syrian army without laying down their arms had been discussed with Syria's new leaders, including interim leader Ahmad al-Sharaa. He added that senior Turkish intelligence officials were also present and that Turkey would remain vigilant in assessing progress on the issue.
Fidan said that al-Sharaa had assured him that the terms of the agreement would require the SDF to be fully integrated into the Syrian army.
Al-Sharaa “actually said that the current points (are in line with Turkish interests)… The agreement reached will fully integrate the PKK into the army,” Fidan said.
“Basically, what we have been saying from the beginning is this: The new Syrian administration must take the initiative to end the PKK’s occupation and piracy,” Fidan stressed, referring to the group’s continued presence in the area.
The Turkish foreign minister added that Turkey would continue to closely monitor the situation, stressing that “life must return to normal” for all communities in Syria, including Kurds, Arabs, Turkmen, Christians and Alawites.