German FM urges Turkey to respect Syrian sovereignty

BERLIN,— German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Tuesday described the Kurdish city of Kobane in Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava), northeast Syria, as a “symbol of the Kurds’ brave resistance” against the Islamic State (IS/ISIS) nearly a decade ago.

She called on Turkey to uphold Syria’s sovereignty amid growing concerns over a potential military offensive targeting Kurdish-led forces.

“Kobane has become a symbol of the Kurdish people’s strong resistance against IS. The last thing the region needs after 14 years of war is more bloodshed,” Baerbock stated on X.

Her comments follow reports suggesting that Turkey, along with allied Syrian Islamist mercenary militia groups, is preparing an attack on Kobane.

The U.S. efforts to broker a ceasefire between Turkish forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have failed, according to Farhad Shami, head of the SDF’s media center.

Kobane, a Kurdish stronghold, gained international attention during the fierce battles of 2014 and 2015 when ISIS fighters launched a major assault on the Kurdish city. With support from a U.S.-led coalition, Kurdish male and female YPG/YPJ forces eventually reclaimed the city, marking a significant turning point in the campaign against ISIS.

The SDF warned in a statement on Tuesday that “Turkey is planning to attack Kobane,” citing military preparations along the border. Turkey has long opposed Kurdish autonomy in Syria, fearing it could fuel separatist ambitions among its own Kurdish population.

General Mazloum Abdi, the top commander of the U.S.-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the de facto army of the autonomous administration in Syrian Kurdistan, said in a statement on X, “To reaffirm our strong commitment to achieving a nationwide ceasefire in Syria, we announce our readiness to propose the creation of a demilitarized zone in the city of Kobane, along with the redeployment of security forces under U.S. supervision. This initiative aims to address Turkey’s security concerns and ensure long-term stability in the region.”

The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, led by the Kurdish PYD party, operates a secular, decentralized governance model that emphasizes gender equality, grassroots democracy, and environmental sustainability.

Since the defeat of ISIS in 2019, Kurdish forces have held an estimated 12,000 ISIS suspects in detention facilities across the region. The years-long conflict against ISIS and pro-Turkey Syrian Islamist militias has cost the lives of over 21,000 Kurdish fighters, both men and women, according to Kurdish officials.

Turkey denies Kurdish autonomy in Syria, citing alleged national security concerns. The international community, including Germany, has urged restraint as the region teeters on the brink of further conflict.

(With files from Agencies)