Turkey has rejected a proposed deployment of French troops on its border with Syria, aimed at creating a secure zone in light of tensions with the SDF. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan criticized such moves, stressing Turkey’s unwillingness to engage with nations seeking to pursue their own agendas beneath the US’s military might. Any involvement from France must be independent of the US, according to Turkish officials.
Turkey has expressed strong opposition to a proposal for the deployment of French troops along its border with Syria, aimed at establishing a secure zone to alleviate tensions with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which Turkey labels as a terrorist organization. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan criticized the actions of European nations attempting to leverage the United States’ military support for their own objectives, stating, “We do not engage with countries that try to hide behind America’s power while advancing their own agendas.”
Furthermore, Turkey issued warnings of a potential cross-border offensive targeting the Kurdish YPG militia, an integral part of the SDF, unless they comply with Turkish demands. Fidan emphasized the necessity for foreign fighters allied with the SDF, including those connected to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), to vacate Syria.
Although France has not officially proposed military intervention, President Emmanuel Macron has affirmed France’s commitment to support the SDF amid ongoing conflict in Syria. Kurdish leaders have indicated their readiness to collaborate with both the US and France to secure the border against perceived threats.
Turkish officials dismissed the SDF’s proposal for the demilitarization of Kobane, emphasizing that any significant French involvement would require operational independence from American backing. Fidan asserted that France must take accountability for its own nationals held in Syrian captivity before assuming a role in combatting terrorism in the region.
The recent tensions between Turkey and France revolve around France’s potential military involvement in Syria, particularly in relation to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Kurdish YPG militia. Following the complex historical background of Kurdish militancy linked to the PKK, Turkey’s stance is deeply rooted in national security concerns. The ongoing Syrian civil war has generated varied international responses, making the involvement of foreign troops a sensitive issue.
In conclusion, Turkey remains resolute in its stance against French military intervention along its border with Syria, citing national security concerns linked to the SDF and YPG’s affiliations with the PKK. Turkish officials insist that any intervention must be conducted independently of US support and that France has responsibilities regarding its nationals who have been implicated in terrorist activities.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
