Erdogan welcomes Syria deal between Kurds, interim authorities

Erdogan welcomes Syria deal between Kurds, transitional authorities — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, March 11, 2025. Photo: Turkish Presidency’s Press Office

ANKARA,— Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated on Tuesday that an agreement to integrate the autonomous Kurdish administration in Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava) into the national government would help bring peace and stability to the country.

The president emphasized that the implementation of this deal would benefit all Syrians.

Erdogan, speaking at a Ramadan dinner, said, “The complete implementation of yesterday’s agreement will enhance Syria’s security and bring peace. Ultimately, all Syrians will benefit from this.”

The agreement comes after Syria’s new Islamist government under interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa sought to consolidate control over the country, following the ouster of long-time president Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, bringing an end to over 13 years of civil war.

On Monday, the Syrian presidency announced that it had struck an agreement with the head of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to incorporate the Kurdish-run administration in northeastern Syria into the central government. This agreement is expected to be implemented by the end of this year.

The SDF, which has been instrumental in the battle against Islamic State militants, is largely composed of the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG).

Turkey considers the YPG to be an extension of the Kurdistan Worker’s Party PKK.

Turkey has repeatedly pressured Syria’s new leadership to address the YPG’s influence in the country. Erdogan underscored Turkey’s commitment to Syria’s territorial unity, stating that Ankara valued any steps taken to eliminate terrorism in the region.

Erdogan emphasized the significance of maintaining Syria’s territorial integrity and unified structure. “We view every effort to rid Syria of terrorism as a positive step.”

This new agreement comes shortly after a historic statement from Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned leader of the PKK, calling for the militant group to disarm and disband.

The Syrian Kurds have responded to Ocalan’s call for disarmament by stating that the SDF are not affiliated with the PKK, and therefore the appeal does not apply to them.

Ankara has emerged as a key ally of the new Islamist government led by Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Turkey, which controls parts of the Kurdish region northern Syria after a series of military operations against the Kurdish YPG, has called for the disarmament of the YPG and the withdrawal of foreign fighters from the group.

(With files from AFP | Reuters | Agencies)