Turkey will continue to take ‘destructive measures’ against Syrian Kurdish militants: defense ministry

Turkey’s Defense Ministry said it will maintain “preventive and destructive measures” against Kurdish militants in Syria, citing threats to national security and regional stability, the T24 news website reported on Thursday.

Rear Adm. Zeki Aktürk, spokesperson for the ministry, said during a press briefing on Thursday that Turkey remains committed to combating groups it considers terrorist organizations, including the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

Turkey accuses the SDF’s main component, the People’s Protection Units (YPG), of links to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which has waged a four-decade insurgency against the Turkish state.

“The current situation and developments in Syria are being closely monitored in coordination with the new administration,” Aktürk said, emphasizing that Turkey prioritizes Syria’s territorial integrity and its own national security.

Turkey has intensified its military activities in northern Syria over the past year, targeting the YPG. The operations are part of Turkey’s broader strategy to secure its borders and facilitate the return of displaced Syrians, according to Aktürk.

The statement also highlighted ongoing efforts to improve Syria’s defense capabilities while ensuring the “voluntary return” of refugees.

“We reiterate our determination to combat terrorist organizations under any name or guise that threaten the security of Turkey and Syria,” Aktürk added.

The SDF, a key US ally in the fight against the ISIL, have repeatedly condemned Turkey’s operations as violations of Syrian sovereignty and a threat to regional stability.