Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is poised to potentially escalate tensions in Syria with a planned invasion of the country's north, targeting the U.S.-allied Syrian Kurds who played a crucial role in defeating the Islamic State in 2019.
Despite a White House-brokered cease-fire between Turkey and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), reports from northern Syria indicate that pro-Turkey forces, backed by Erdogan, are disregarding the agreement. The SDF, which suffered significant losses in the fight against ISIS, now faces an existential threat.
According to sources in northern Syria, the Syrian Opposition and the Syrian National Army, aligned with Erdogan's government, are amassing forces around Kobani, engaging in intermittent assaults on the Tishreen Dam. The SDF is actively defending against these attacks, with the U.S. mediating for a lasting cease-fire.
Former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East, Simone Ledeen, emphasized the need for increased support to the SDF to counter the growing jihadist threat enabled by Turkey.
The U.S. State Department stressed the importance of de-escalating tensions in Syria and promoting stability through a Syrian-led political process, in line with U.N. Security Council resolution 2254, while ensuring the defeat of ISIS.
Concerns have been raised that Erdogan's actions could lead to the release of thousands of ISIS terrorists held by the SDF, potentially jeopardizing American security. Senator John Kennedy urged Erdogan to refrain from targeting the Kurds, emphasizing their crucial role in combating ISIS.
Turkey's Foreign Ministry denied reports of attacks on Syrian Kurds, stating that Turkey supports a unified Syria and distinguishes between Syrian Kurds and those associated with terrorist organizations.
Amid bipartisan support for the Syrian Kurds in Congress, Senators Van Hollen and Graham threatened sanctions against Erdogan for undermining regional security and jeopardizing efforts to prevent ISIS resurgence.
Experts suggest that dialogue between Turkey and the Kurdish administration in Syria, facilitated by the U.S., could lead to mutual benefits and regional stability. Efforts are underway to broker a deal that addresses Turkey's security concerns without compromising Kurdish autonomy in Syria.
The situation remains fluid, with diplomatic efforts ongoing to mitigate tensions and prevent further escalation in the region.
