Türkiye warns of ‘self-defense’ against PKK/YPG under Syrian integration
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Turkish National Defense Minister Yasar Guler and head of the National Intelligence Organization Ibrahim Kalin are received by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus, Syria, on March 13, 2025. ( Arda Küçükkaya - Anadolu Agency )
As diplomatic efforts to integrate the terrorist group PKK/YPG into the national army move forward, Türkiye is maintaining a firm stance on potential threats from the YPG group.
“If they point weapons at us under the Syrian flag, we will strike. Then we will hold them accountable. Self-defense works everywhere,” a high-ranking Türkiye security official said, underscoring Türkiye’s position regardless of the PKK/YPG’s potential integration into Syrian government forces.
The comment comes in the wake of a significant diplomatic mission last week when Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Defense Minister Yasar Guler, and Intelligence Chief Ibrahim Kalin visited Damascus and were received by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
During a Friday interview with TV100, Foreign Minister Fidan expressed caution about the implementation of the recently signed eight-point agreement between the Syrian wing of the PKK—primarily composed of the YPG—and the Syrian government.
“There could be mines laid ahead,” Fidan warned. “Everything could be on the agenda regarding YPG issues, especially provocations and future schemes.”
US reportedly used mix of threats and assurances to secure deal
YPG ringleader Mazloum Abdi, reportedly traveled to sign the agreement via a U.S. military helicopter, raising questions about American involvement.
According to a high-level source, “The U.S. forced Abdi to sign the document, preventing him from making further blackmail attempts.” The helicopter photograph could be interpreted as a “package delivery,” of sorts.
The source suggested that U.S. pressure on Abdi likely combined both persuasion and threats. After previously “stating” they had increased troop numbers from 900 to 2,000 to provide assurances to the YPG, the U.S. apparently did not want Abdi to further “stall in the region.”
They effectively told him, “I’m not abandoning you; there’s an opportunity for you to integrate with the new administration; go ahead; I’ll continue to watch over you,” encouraging him to sign the agreement.
Study of 468 terror organizations shows social revolution always fails
Türkiye’s current focus remains on how the content of the eight-point document will be implemented.
The security official’s comments about self-defense suggest that Türkiye’s recent high-level delegation to Syria should be evaluated in light of these ongoing security concerns.
Meanwhile, at a session on “Türkiye’s New Era in Combating Terrorism: The Future of PKK, YPG, and PJAK” held last week at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies (ORSAM), the center’s executive director Ibrahim Aydin discussed how terrorist organizations ultimately end.
Aydin, a retired major general with extensive counterterrorism experience, cited research covering 468 organizations showing that 43% of terrorist groups end by joining political processes, while 40% are eliminated through military measures. Only 10% achieve their goals, typically those with narrow objectives like changing government policy.
“No terrorist organization seeking social revolution has ever succeeded,” Aydin emphasized.
Since Jan. 1, 2025, Türkiye forces have eliminated a total of 502 terrorists—296 in northern Syria and 206 in northern Iraq—according to the Ministry of National Defense’s weekly press briefing.
