Turkey Leads Regional Alliance Against Islamic State in Syria

Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Jordan are forming an alliance to fight remnants of the Islamic State group. This collaboration seeks to prompt the U.S. to withdraw support from Kurdish militants tied to the PKK. Turkish officials have emphasized the necessity of addressing these issues through coordinated regional efforts against IS.

Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Jordan are set to collaborate in combating the remnants of the Islamic State group (IS) in Syria. The Turkish foreign minister stated that this alliance could enable the U.S. to sever its ties with Kurdish militants in the region. This shift is pivotal since the Kurdish-led forces in Syria, particularly the People’s Defense Units (YPG), are viewed by Turkey as terrorists due to their affiliations with the PKK, recognized as a terrorist organization by multiple nations including the U.S. and the EU.

The YPG has been integral to U.S. efforts against IS, particularly during coordinated operations with American special forces and maintaining custody of IS prisoners in northeastern Syria. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized the need for regional cooperation to address IS, stating, “Turkey, Iraq, Syria and Jordan need to come together to fight Daesh… we are capable of doing that.”

In discussions held in Doha, Qatar, Fidan noted that the Syrian government is prepared to take over the responsibility of IS prisoners. He also urged U.S. President Donald Trump to reconsider support for Kurdish fighters, stating, “We hope that President Trump will make the right decision and right this wrong… it is an open wound that needs to be closed as soon as possible.”

Since unrest in Syria began in November, Turkey has intensified operations against Kurdish forces, leading to the capture of several towns by Turkish-backed fighters. As a result, the Turkish military has exerted continuous pressure on Kurdish fighters situated in Syria and Iraq.

Ankara has demanded the removal of PKK-affiliated elements from the Syrian Democratic Forces, envisioning their integration into a restructured Syrian military. Currently, approximately 2,000 U.S. troops are stationed in northeastern Syria, marking a key point of contention in U.S.-Turkey relations, especially following Trump’s earlier statements on withdrawing forces from Syria, which triggered a Turkish offensive against YPG in 2019.

The collaboration between Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Jordan represents a significant strategy to combat the remnants of the Islamic State group. This joint effort aims to pressure the U.S. to reconsider its support for Kurdish forces linked to the PKK. The ongoing military operations of Turkey against these forces further emphasize the complexities involved in this regional dynamic, especially concerning U.S. military presence in Syria and its implications for security and international relations in the region.

Original Source: www.voanews.com