Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan issued a stern warning to Kurdish militants in Syria, stating they must either surrender their weapons or be "buried" on Syrian soil. His statement follows escalating tensions between Turkey-backed Syrian forces and Kurdish militants after the departure of Bashar al-Assad from Syria's leadership.
Erdogan’s Message to Kurdish Militants
Addressing members of his ruling AK Party in parliament, Erdogan declared, “The separatist murderers will either bid farewell to their weapons, or they will be buried in Syrian lands along with their weapons.”
He also reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to dismantling what Ankara calls a "terrorist organisation" that it accuses of creating divisions between Turkey and its Kurdish community.
Turkey’s Stance on the YPG Militia
Turkey views the Kurdish YPG militia, a key component of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), as an extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). The PKK has waged an insurgency against Turkey since 1984 and is designated a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union.
Ankara has repeatedly urged its NATO ally Washington to halt support for the YPG militia. In recent operations, Turkey’s defence ministry reported that Turkish forces killed 21 YPG-PKK militants in northern Syria and Iraq.
SDF Commander’s Response
In a recent interview, SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi admitted that PKK fighters were present in Syria but clarified they had assisted in the fight against Islamic State and would return home if a total ceasefire with Turkey was achieved. He denied any organisational ties between the SDF and PKK.
Turkey’s Plans in Syria
Erdogan announced that Turkey plans to open a consulate in Aleppo, signaling deeper engagement in post-Assad Syria. He also highlighted expectations of increased border traffic by the summer of 2025 as millions of Syrian refugees hosted by Turkey begin returning to their homeland.
A Call to Stop Supporting Militants
Turkey continues to call on the international community, particularly the United States, to cease support for the YPG. Erdogan’s remarks reflect Ankara’s determination to reshape the dynamics in Syria while addressing what it considers threats to its national security.
