escalation of conflict: Turkish nationalist leader indicates potential military action against Syria if opposition groups disregard Damascus' authority
In a bold move, Devlet Bahceli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) in Turkey, has issued an ultimatum to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Tuesday. The ultimatum comes in response to the SDF's alleged non-compliance with a March 2025 agreement signed with Syria's government.
Bahceli accused the SDF/YPG of being under Israeli influence, but it remains unclear what the nature of this alignment is. He emphasized that any deviation from the March agreement would prompt coordinated action between Turkey and Syria.
The agreement, a memorandum of understanding signed between the SDF and the Syrian administration on March 10, 2025, is the subject of the ultimatum. It is not clear from the provided information what specific requirements of the agreement the SDF is alleged to have failed to comply with. It is also not clear whether the YPG, another branch of the PKK in Syria, is mentioned in the ultimatum or the agreement.
Bahceli's statement suggests that the SDF's alignment with Israel may have contributed to the likelihood of a Turkish military operation. However, it is not clear what the consequences of such military intervention by Turkey and Syria would be.
The MHP leader described the SDF/YPG as a terror group destabilizing Syria, even after the fall of the Assad dictatorship, and stated that they are in Israel's orbit. He also criticized the main opposition party CHP's leader Ozgur Ozel, claiming the party entered a "political coma."
Bahceli further claimed that Israel is involved in Syria's division and fragmentation. He warned against a US-Israel consortium laying the groundwork for "bloody civil war and division" in Syria. He also criticized Ozel's recent comments about wanting to be a "war-winning commander," calling such statements a sign of "mental eclipse."
The complex issue of perceived Israeli influences on the SDF and YPG, and their potential effects on the relationship between Turkey and Syria, touches upon several geopolitical aspects. Bahceli, like other Turkish politicians, may share similar concerns about Israeli support for the YPG and SDF as a threat to Turkish interests in the region. The potential consequences of this situation for the already tense relationship between Turkey and Syria remain uncertain.
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