Turkey Rejects French Deployment Along Syrian Border Amid Tensions
Turkey has strongly opposed a proposal for French troops to secure the Syrian border, viewing the SDF as a terrorist group linked to the PKK. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan criticized European nations acting under U.S. influence and asserted that Turkey demands the withdrawal of foreign fighters. President Macron’s support for the SDF further complicates this issue, as Turkey emphasizes its expectations for direct, independent involvement from France.
Turkey has expressed strong opposition to a proposal for the deployment of French troops along its Syrian border, aimed at creating a secure zone to ameliorate tensions with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan criticized smaller European nations participating in military operations in Syria under U.S. auspices, emphasizing that such actions serve only their own interests without benefiting the region or themselves.
Fidan’s remarks included a pointed condemnation of countries that, he believes, utilize U.S. support to promote their own agendas. He further reiterated Turkey’s stance on the necessity for the withdrawal of foreign fighters from the SDF, which Turkey regards as a terrorist organization due to its association with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a group involved in a decades-long insurgency against the Turkish government.
Despite the French government’s lack of an official proposal, President Emmanuel Macron expressed support for the SDF, stating that France would not abandon its Kurdish allies in the Syrian conflict. In response, the co-chair of foreign affairs for the Kurdish administration in northern Syria underscored the readiness of a potential military coalition, including France and the United States, to secure the border region.
Turkish officials have also rejected a recent proposal from the SDF to demilitarize Kobane under U.S. surveillance, with Fidan asserting that Turkey would only regard French perspectives on Syria seriously if France acted independently, without U.S. backing. He emphasized France’s accountability for its nationals detained in Syrian camps and condemned its approach of supporting terrorists while neglecting its own responsibilities.
The tension between Turkey and the proposed involvement of France in Syria is set against a complex backdrop of the Syrian civil war, which has persisted for over a decade. The SDF, predominantly Kurdish, has been a critical ally of the United States in combating the Islamic State (IS) but faces Turkish opposition due to its affiliation with the PKK. Turkey’s calls for the withdrawal of foreign fighters and its willingness to launch cross-border operations highlight the delicate balance of power in the region, as external nations like France exhibit interests in supporting the SDF. This potential for direct foreign military involvement further escalates the geopolitical stakes already present in the conflict.
In summary, Turkey’s vehement rejection of any potential French military presence along its border underscores its deep-seated concerns regarding the SDF’s activities and affiliations. Turkish leaders have articulated their unwillingness to tolerate foreign forces bolstering what they perceive as terrorist elements. As the situation evolves, Turkey remains vigilant against any external involvement that may threaten its national security interests, while countries like France navigate their roles in regional military operations depicting a wider international implication in the Syrian conflict.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
