Pentagon says situation in Syria is “fragile,” ongoing talks with Türkiye continue

The situation in Syria remains “fragile” as discussions between the United States and Türkiye continue, the Pentagon said Tuesday, underscoring ongoing tensions over Washington’s support for the PKK/YPG-led SDF.

Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder, the Pentagon spokesperson, emphasized that U.S. communication with Türkiye is focused on addressing regional security issues and ensuring stability in Syria following the departure of President Bashar Assad.

“Türkiye is a very valued NATO ally, and we continue to keep lines of communication open as it relates to the situation in Syria, as it relates to regional security interests like Daesh,” Ryder told reporters.

He added, “I’m confident that we’ll continue to keep having those conversations with Türkiye and other regional partners on this issue.”

The U.S. has relied heavily on the SDF as its primary partner in counter-Daesh operations in Syria. However, Washington’s continued support of the SDF has been a source of significant strain in its relationship with Türkiye. Ankara views the YPG, which leads the SDF, as the Syrian affiliate of the PKK, a group designated as a terrorist organization by both Türkiye and the United States.

Responding to a question from Anadolu Agency, Ryder acknowledged the delicate nature of the situation in Syria, stating, “We recognize the situation right now in Syria is fragile, particularly as it relates to the post-Assad regime. U.S. forces have been working closely with the SDF for years now on the defeat Daesh mission, and that continues to be our focus.”

Ryder reiterated that preventing a resurgence of Daesh remains a shared priority. “We all have a vested interest in ensuring that Daesh is not allowed to regroup and resurge and return to the kinds of activities that we saw previously,” he said.

The U.S.-Türkiye relationship has long been complicated by diverging priorities in Syria, particularly over the role of Kurdish groups in the fight against Daesh. While the U.S. views the SDF as an effective partner in its operations, Türkiye has repeatedly voiced concerns over the group’s ties to the PKK, which has waged a decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state.