In remarks following a cabinet meeting yesterday (January 6), Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan warned: “The noose is tightening on separatist organizations and their affiliates in Syria. We may come suddenly, in the night.”
Erdoğan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) has been quick to establish diplomatic relations with Syria’s ruling Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, who overthrew the Assad regime in early December.
In his comments Monday, Erdoğan reiterated his commitment to Syria’s territorial integrity, saying “We will not consent to the fragmentation of Syria.”
In his speech, Erdoğan stated, “We may come suddenly, in the night,” hinting at the possibility of a sudden military strike. The 22-year incumbent leader had previously used the same phrase to threaten neighboring Greece ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Although his threats to Greece have so far gone unfulfilled—unsurprising to many—the. possibility of him following through still lingers, given Turkey’s ongoing intermittent. military operations in Syria since 2019.
Veiled threat to northern Syria’s Kurdish militias
Since Assad’s fall, speculation has been rife that Turkey may launch a ground invasion of. areas of northern Syria currently controlled by.Kurdish militias such as the People’s Defense. Units (YPG), which forms the main military arm of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Ankara classifies the YPG as a terrorist organization due to its affiliations with the banned. Kurdish Workers Party (PKK). Despite this, the SDF and YPG have been important allies of. the United States in the fight against the Islamic State,.putting Turkey perennially at odds with its largest NATO partner.
Erdoğan’s Monday remarks regarding a potential surprise attack.against these militias also seemed to indicate that other.actors would be powerless to stop a Turkish attack:
“The only fate that awaits those who choose terror and violence is to be buried.with their weapons. I am saying this openly, no power can prevent this.”
Written/translated for Medyascope by Leo Kendrick
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