US efforts underway to prevent Turkey's Syria offensive: Blinken

US efforts underway to prevent Turkey's northern Syria offensive — Secretary Antony J. Blinken (right) speaks with Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, during a meeting with the foreign ministers of the Arab Contact Group on Syria in Jordan, December 14, 2024. Photo: US Department of State

PARIS,— The United States is actively engaging with Turkey to address its concerns regarding Kurdish fighters in Syrian Kurdistan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday, seeking to prevent an escalation of military action by its NATO ally.

Blinken acknowledged that Turkey has “legitimate concerns” about the presence of PKK militants in Syria, but emphasized the need for a solution that avoids further conflict.

Speaking in Paris, Blinken stated that Turkey’s concerns are rooted in the presence of PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party) militants, a group recognized by Turkey as a “terrorist” organization.

He also referred to the broader situation in Syria, where the overthrow of long-time leader Bashar al-Assad has left the country in a state of instability. According to Blinken, this instability requires a resolution that includes the removal of “foreign terrorist fighters.”

Blinken urged against any escalation, noting that a new conflict in Syria would be harmful to the progress that has been made in the region.

He said that the U.S. will make every effort to prevent the situation from escalating. His remarks come amid growing tensions between Turkey and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) that has been a key U.S. ally in the fight against ISIS for nearly ten years.

Turkey has repeatedly threatened to launch a military operation against the SDF unless Kurdish fighters adhere to Turkey’s conditions for a peaceful transition after Assad’s regime.

The SDF, which includes Kurdish fighters from the People’s Protection Units (YPG), has long been a target for Ankara, which views the YPG as an extension of the PKK.

The YPG has rejected the allegations and any ties to the PKK, accusing Turkey of fabricating excuses to invade more of Syria’s Kurdish lands.

Experts say Turkey, which refuses to recognize its Kurdish population of over 23 million in its constitution, is concerned that the establishment of an autonomous Kurdish region or state in Syria could fuel separatist movements among its own Kurdish citizens.

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Tuesday that if the YPG fails to meet Turkey’s demands, Ankara will take “appropriate” military action. “The ultimatum we gave them through the Americans is clear,”

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also reaffirmed his government’s stance on Syria, stating on Monday that Ankara will not allow the country to fragment along ethnic or sectarian lines, particularly in Syrian Kurdistan. “If we detect even the slightest threat, we will act decisively,” Erdogan said.

Blinken, meanwhile, expressed confidence that the incoming U.S. administration under President-elect Donald Trump would also prioritize efforts to prevent the resurgence of ISIS, a key concern for both Turkey and the U.S.

He reiterated that the U.S. would continue to support the SDF in their fight against the extremist group.

It is difficult to predict how the next U.S. administration will handle the situation with Syrian Kurds. On October 15, 2019, then-President Donald Trump made a controversial remark, suggesting that “Napoleon Bonaparte” should come to the rescue of the Syrian Kurds.

(With files from AFP | Agencies)