Turkey says it will closely monitor a Syrian government deal with a Kurdish armed group

In this handout photo released by the Turkish Foreign Ministry press service, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, left, sits with Syria's interim president Ahmad Al-Sharaa, during their meeting in Damascus, Syria, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (Turkish Foreign Ministry press service via AP)

ISTANBUL (AP) 鈥 Turkey鈥檚 foreign minister said Friday that Ankara is closely monitoring an agreement between the Syrian government and a U.S-backed Kurdish-led armed group, expressing concern over potential future threats to Turkey鈥檚 security.

Hakan Fidan, speaking in an interview with the Turkish TV100 channel, said Turkey had relayed its concerns to Syrian officials in to Syria on Thursday.

鈥淚f there is an agreement signed with good intentions, let it be done, but there may be some problems or mines planted for the future,鈥 he said. 鈥淲e as Turkey are monitoring these very closely.鈥

The agreement to integrate the Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF, into the Syrian government and gunmen loyal to .

Fidan said Turkey does not see the deal as granting autonomy to the SDF. 鈥淣o one should feel like a minority but should feel like they are a special part of a greater prosperity by benefiting from equal opportunities,鈥 he said.

The SDF is a U.S.-backed Kurdish military alliance in northeastern Syria that has a presence in most of the territory in that part of the country.

Turkey designates the SDF and its primary component the People鈥檚 Protection Units, or YPG, as terrorist organizations because of their links to the banned Kurdistan Workers鈥 Party.

Addressing a question about whether the YPG and SDF could be integrated into the Syrian army without laying down their arms, Fidan said the issue had been discussed with Syria's new leaders, including interim leader . He said Turkey's top intelligence officials were also present and that Turkey would remain vigilant in assessing any progress on the issue.

Fidan said al-Sharaa assured him that the articles in the deal would call for the YPG to be fully integrated into the Syrian army.

Al-Sharaa "actually said that the current articles (are aligned with Turkish interests)." ... The agreement made will completely include the YPG in the army," Fidan said.

鈥淓ssentially, what we have been saying from the very beginning is this: The new Syrian administration must take the initiative to end the YPG occupation and piracy,鈥 Fidan said, referring to the continued presence of the group in the area.

Fidan added that Turkey will keep a close watch on developments, stressing that 鈥渓ife should return to normal鈥 for all communities in Syria, including Kurds, Arabs, Turkmens, Christians and Alawites.

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