Tur3ey to Syria: Don’t help Kurds
Warning about enclave sets up potential conflict
BEIRUT —Turkeywarnedthe Syrian government Monday against entering the Kurdish-controlled enclaveinnorthernsyriawherea major Turkish military offensive is underway, saying it would hit back at the troops if their goal is to protect the Kurdish fighters.
The warning sets up a potential clash between Turkish troops and Syrian government forces backed by Russia and Iran, whose deployment would be a first step toward restoring President Bashar Assad’s presence along the border with Turkey.
The warning by the Turkish foreign minister came shortly after Syrian state media said pro-government forces would enter Afrin “within hours” to “bolster” local forces in confronting Turkey’s “aggression” after reaching an agreement with the Kurdish militia known as the People’s Protection Units, or YPG.
Details of the deal were not announced by either side, and Kurdish officials said talks were still underway.
Assad’s troops have had no presence in Afrin since they pulled out of most of northern Syria in 2012.
Ankara considers the YPG a “terrorist group” linked to the Kurdish insurgency within Turkey’s borders.
Turkey’s foreign minister, speaking at a news conference in Amman, Jordan, said Turkey would have no problem if Syrian government forces were entering Afrin to clear the area from YPG fighters.
“If the regime is entering to protect the YPG, then no one can stop us, stop Turkey or the Turkish soldiers,” Mevlut Cavusoglu said.
Turkey has supported rebels fighting to overthrow Assad throughout the seven-year civil war, but in recent years has focused more on trying to contain the Kurds. Government troops deployed along its borders, at this point, may be more palatable for Ankara than the continued presence of the powerful YPG.
The group has received weapons and training from the U.S. for years and has been Washington’s main partner in the war against the Islamic State group in Syria.