Erdogan says Turkey to clear northern Syria of ‘terrorists’

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Turkey is clearing regions in northern Syria of “terrorists”, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday referring to Kurdish fighters in the area, claiming that they are all part of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) but are using different labels in an attempt to deceive the public.

Erdogan, also leader of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party), delivered a speech at a meeting of his party’s parliamentary bloc, addressing the latest developments in his plan for a new military operation in northern Syria, as well as the country’s stance towards Finland and Sweden joining NATO.

Erdogan said last week that Ankara would launch a new military operation into northern Syria to create a 30 kilometer “security zone” along its southern border. The offense is likely aimed at pushing back Kurdish fighters from the area.

“We are entering a new phase of our decision to create a 30-kilometer-deep “safe zone” along our southern borders. We are clearing Tel Rifaat and Manbij from terrorists. Then we will do the same step by step in other regions.” Erdogan said on Wednesday, adding that the reason for their operation is that the US and Russia have failed to create a “safe zone” in those areas.

Hours after Erdogan’s speech, Hawar News Agency (ANHA), affiliated with Kurdish authorities in northeast Syria (Rojava), reported that the Turkish army had allegedly began bombarding areas in Tel Rifaat.

Erdogan claimed that the attempts by Kurdish groups in northern Syria to disassociate themselves from the PKK by using different labels were futile, and that they were only “fooling themselves,” not Turkey. He also accused European countries of doing the same.

“By using letter games, by making the PKK, PYD [Democratic Union Party], YPG [People’s Protection Units] or by other names. Those who try to justify it by concealing it are deceiving themselves, not us.”

Turkey has launched two offensives against Kurdish fighters in Syria since 2018. It alleges that the fighters are allied with the PKK, an armed group fighting for the increased rights of Kurds in Turkey and is viewed as a terrorist organization by Ankara.

Following its order of the last incursion against these groups in 2019, Ankara and Moscow agreed that Russian military police and Syrian border guards would drive the fighters 30 kilometers away from the Turkish border.

The recent talks of launching a new offensive in Syria come as Erdogan threatens to block the NATO membership of Finland and Sweden, alleging their support for the PKK.

The Turkish president on Wednesday reiterated his call to object the membership of the two countries, noting that it was “obvious” that the countries tolerated the “terrorist organizations,” questioning how Turkey could approve their bids while “terror affiliates” roam freely, and hold rallies in these countries. 

“Those who try to portray the bloodiest terrorist organization in the world as an apostle of democracy are on the same side as the murderers of babies, women, the elderly, teachers and our security forces killed by the PKK… Efforts to bring ecological heroes out of armed murderous terrorists are futile,” Erdogan said, adding that they hope Sweden and Finland understand Turkey’s security concerns.

Consensus by all NATO members is required for a new country to join and Erdogan is expected to use his approval as leverage to gain concessions from the West, including guarantees that they will not oppose a fresh offensive.