Erdogan: Syrian Kurdish Militias Have Not Returned to the Euphrates

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the President of Turkey, has denied claims regarding the return of Syrian Kurdish militias to the Euphrates, without directly referencing the source of these statements. In a speech in Ankara on September 3, Erdogan stated, "Currently, some say they (the Kurds) have returned to the east (of the Euphrates), but we say: No. They have not gone there." The Turkish President emphasized that any potential withdrawal of the militias to the area Ankara demands would be observable to Turkey. Since the beginning of September, Turkey has launched operations within Syrian territory targeting positions of the 'Islamic State' militants while also engaging in relatively intense clashes with a coalition of predominantly Kurdish rebels who are involved in ground battles against 'ISIS.' Turkey claims that the armed Syrian Kurds, mainly members of the People's Protection Units (YPG), are indistinguishable from the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in Ankara's view and must return to the Euphrates. Thus, they should withdraw from areas surrounding Jarablus or Manbij. The clashes between the Turkish army and the rebels in the 'Syrian Democratic Forces' have raised concerns in the U.S., which supports this group in the fight against 'ISIS.' While reports of a ceasefire between Turkey and the Kurdish militias had circulated, on Wednesday, the Turkish government again rejected the establishment of a ceasefire by labeling these militias as 'terrorists.' On Monday, a U.S. Defense Department official told AFP that the Kurds had returned to the east, which President Erdogan now denies. Erdogan also emphasized that from his government's perspective, the Syrian Kurdish militias are 'terrorists' and 'no one can expect us to allow a terror corridor to be established. We will not allow it.' The Turkish President's remarks refer to reports published over the years indicating that the Kurds in Syria are seeking to unify three 'cantons' that have formed in northern Syria. The battles between Turkey and the U.S.-backed militias in Syria represent a new development in the complex situation of the Syrian civil war, which has nearly half a million casualties and millions of displaced people. Syria is simultaneously a battleground for government forces and their allies against rebels and their allies, as well as a site of conflict with 'ISIS,' a group that was once described by a former U.S. Secretary of Defense as an imminent threat, with its organization being highly structured and 'beyond what has been seen.' John Kirby, the U.S. State Department spokesperson, stated on September 2 that Washington supports Ankara's efforts to create security at the Turkish border while emphasizing that everyone should focus on the fight against 'ISIS.'