The Evolving Relations between Turkey and Syria: A Focus on Turkey's Policy towards Kurdish Groups in Syria

Category : Expected Changes in Turkey Relations with Syria and the Region en | Sub Category : Turkey Policy towards Kurdish Groups in Syria Posted on 2023-07-07 21:24:53

The Evolving Relations between Turkey and Syria: A Focus on Turkey's Policy towards Kurdish Groups in Syria

The political landscape in the Middle East has been marked by complex and ever-changing dynamics, with countries in the region constantly adjusting their foreign policies and alliances. One such relationship that has garnered attention in recent years is the evolving relations between Turkey and Syria, particularly in the context of Turkey's policy towards Kurdish groups in Syria.

Historically, Turkey and Syria have had a tumultuous relationship, characterized by periods of tension and cooperation. The outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011 further strained their ties, with Turkey supporting the Syrian opposition and calling for the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad, while Syria accused Turkey of backing extremist groups operating in the country.

However, in recent years, there have been signs of a thaw in Turkey-Syria relations, driven in part by changing geopolitical realities in the region. Turkey's military intervention in northern Syria, particularly its Operation Olive Branch in 2018 and Operation Peace Spring in 2019, aimed at targeting Kurdish groups affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and the People's Protection Units (YPG), both of which Turkey considers terrorist organizations.

Turkey's concern over the presence of Kurdish groups in Syria stems from its own long-standing conflict with the PKK, a Kurdish separatist group that has been waging an insurgency against the Turkish state for decades. Ankara fears that the establishment of Kurdish autonomous regions in Syria could embolden Kurdish separatists in Turkey and further destabilize the region.

As a result, Turkey has pursued a strategy of containing and weakening Kurdish groups in Syria, often clashing militarily with them and pushing for their exclusion from any political settlement in the country. Turkey's policy towards Kurdish groups in Syria has also strained its relations with the United States, which has partnered with the YPG in the fight against ISIS, leading to tensions between Ankara and Washington.

Looking ahead, the expected changes in Turkey's relations with Syria and the region will largely depend on the broader geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East, including the resolution of the Syrian civil war, the role of external actors such as Russia and Iran, and the future trajectory of Kurdish groups in Syria.

In conclusion, Turkey's policy towards Kurdish groups in Syria will continue to be a key factor shaping its relations with Syria and the broader region. As Turkey navigates its security concerns and seeks to protect its interests, the dynamics between Ankara, Damascus, and Kurdish groups in Syria will remain a critical issue to watch in the coming years.