Turkey Threatens Military Action Against Kurdish Forces in Syria

Turkey has threatened to carry out military operations against Syrian Kurdish forces unless they accept Ankara's conditions for a 'bloodless' transfer of power following the fall of Bashar al-Assad, the ousted Syrian president. Hakan Fidan, the Turkish foreign minister, stated on Tuesday, January 8, to CNN Turk that if the 'People's Protection Units' (YPG) do not comply with Ankara's demands, 'we will take necessary actions.' He further clarified that these actions would include 'military operations.' The potential overthrow of Assad by Islamist-led rebels has increased the likelihood of direct Turkish intervention in Syria against Kurdish forces. Ankara accuses the YPG of having ties to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a group that has been at war with the Turkish state for decades and is recognized as a terrorist organization by Ankara and Western countries. Mr. Fidan added that Ankara has issued an ultimatum to the YPG through the Americans. Since 2016, Turkey has conducted multiple ground operations in Syria to push Kurdish forces away from its border. However, these forces are considered U.S. allies, having played a key role in the fight against ISIS. The Turkish foreign minister also emphasized that foreign jihadists from various countries, including Iran and Iraq, must leave Syria immediately, but it appears they currently have no intention of doing so, and Ankara is waiting.