Turkey Seeks Regional Cooperation Against IS to Undermine SDF
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Turkey Seeks Regional Cooperation Against IS to Undermine SDF

ERBIL — Turkey has announced a new security initiative in collaboration with Syria, Iraq, and Jordan to combat the remnants of the Islamic State (IS), a move seen as both a counterterrorism measure and an attempt to diminish the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces' (SDF) influence in the region.  

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized the necessity of regional cooperation to effectively eliminate IS sleeper cells, which continue to pose a threat despite the group’s territorial defeat. However, Turkey’s expanded security strategy comes amid ongoing military actions against the People’s Defense Units (YPG), the core component of the SDF, which Ankara views as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).  

Turkey has long advocated for a buffer zone along its southern border, citing security concerns over Kurdish armed groups operating in northern Syria. While the YPG has played a central role in the US-led coalition against IS, Ankara sees its presence as a direct threat to Turkish sovereignty. Turkish military operations in Syria have intensified in recent months, with Ankara reporting the elimination of 23 YPG fighters in its latest cross-border attack.

The new regional cooperation effort could reshape the security dynamics in Syria, potentially reducing the SDF’s centrality in counterterrorism operations. Turkey’s approach seeks to sideline Kurdish forces by increasing intelligence-sharing and coordinated military efforts with Arab states in the region.  

Turkey’s increasing engagement with Damascus on counterterrorism issues signals a possible thaw in relations with the Syrian government, which has historically opposed both IS and Kurdish autonomy. However, this approach has the potential to strain Ankara’s ties with Washington, which continues to support the SDF as a key ally against IS resurgence.  

Additionally, Turkey’s efforts to expand security coordination with Iraq and Jordan suggest an ambition to extend its counterterrorism policies beyond Syria, aiming for a broader regional framework that aligns with its long-term security objectives.  

As the situation develops, the international community will closely monitor how Turkey’s regional partnerships impact both the fight against IS and the balance of power in northeastern Syria (Rojava), particularly in relation to the Kurdish forces that have played a decisive role in countering jihadist threats.

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