Turkish president calls for stability as SDF joins Syrian state institutions
Ankara, 11 March (Reuters) – Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has welcomed an agreement between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Syria’s new government, stating that its full implementation would enhance security and stability in the war-torn country.
The US-backed, Kurdish-led SDF, which controls large parts of northeastern Syria, signed an agreement with Damascus to integrate its civilian and military institutions into Syria’s state structures. Under the terms of the deal, border crossings, an airport, and vital oil and gas fields in SDF-controlled areas will be placed under the Syrian government’s control.
Speaking on Tuesday, Erdogan expressed his approval of the agreement, saying:
“The full implementation of the agreement reached yesterday in Syria will contribute to the country’s security and stability. The beneficiaries of this will be all our Syrian brothers and sisters.”
He further stressed the importance of Syria’s territorial integrity, stating that Turkey supports the preservation of Syria’s unitary structure and efforts to strengthen its unity and stability.
Cautious optimism from Turkey
While Erdogan welcomed the agreement, Turkish officials remain sceptical about its implementation. A senior Turkish official, speaking to Reuters, noted that the SDF had made similar promises in the past but had failed to act on them.
“The SDF has made promises before, too, so we are looking at implementation rather than at the expression of intent here,” the official said.
The deal comes at a time when Syria is facing escalating internal challenges, including the recent mass killings of Alawite minority members in western Syria. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa warned that such violence could undermine his efforts to unite the country following 14 years of civil conflict.
Turkey’s role in the new Syrian landscape
Ankara has emerged as one of the main foreign backers of Syria’s new Islamist government under President Sharaa. Last year, Turkish-backed rebels played a key role in toppling former President Bashar al-Assad, ending his five-decade rule.
Turkey continues to control large areas of northern Syria following a series of military operations against the YPG, the Kurdish militia that leads the SDF. Ankara has long demanded the disarmament and disbandment of the YPG, as well as the removal of non-Syrian fighters from its ranks.
Regional diplomacy and security talks
The recent agreement between the SDF and Damascus was influenced by security talks held in Amman last weekend between officials from Iraq, Syria, Turkey, and Jordan. These discussions focused on:
- Establishing a regional security operations centre
- Sharing intelligence
- Handing over SDF-controlled prison camps holding Islamic State fighters
The Turkish official revealed that the Amman meeting sent a clear message to the SDF:
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“The presence of the YPG in Syria will not be tolerated.”
PKK calls for ceasefire
The SDF-Damascus deal also follows an important development within the outlawed Kurdish PKK militant group. Earlier this month, the PKK announced that it would halt hostilities against Turkey, following an appeal from its jailed leader for the group to lay down arms.
The PKK insurgency, which began in 1984, has resulted in over 40,000 deaths. It is classified as a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union.
Conclusion
While Erdogan’s government has cautiously welcomed the Syrian deal with the SDF, Turkish officials remain focused on ensuring its proper implementation. With regional security talks ongoing, Turkey will closely monitor whether the SDF follows through on its commitments—especially regarding its links to the PKK and its control over strategic border regions and oil resources.
For now, the agreement marks a significant step in Syria’s evolving political landscape, but its long-term impact on stability in the region remains to be seen.
