Turkish FM warns YPG against taking advantage of Syria’s instability

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has warned the People’s Protection Units (YPG), a terrorist organisation affiliated with the PKK/YPG, against exploiting the unstable situation in Syria.

Fidan made the remarks to journalists in New York on the sidelines of his participation in the "expanded informal meeting on Cyprus" held on July 16–17, Caliber.Az reports, citing Syrian media.

Fidan noted that they had received intelligence on the movements of YPG militants, stating:
"We call on them not to take advantage of the unrest in Syria and not to put themselves in an undesirable position. They should not further complicate the current process in Syria. They must play a constructive role. Otherwise, opportunism carries great risks for them."

Commenting on Israeli strikes on Syria’s capital, Damascus, the Turkish foreign minister accused Israel of pursuing a de facto policy of destabilisation in the region.

"In its actions, Israel prioritises its national security while ignoring all rules, regulations, rights, sovereignty, or territorial integrity of other countries in the region. We have conveyed to the Israelis through our intelligence services that we do not want instability in the region," he said.

On 11–13 July, intense clashes erupted near As‑Suwayda between Druze militias and Sunni Bedouin groups following the kidnapping of a Druze trader. Syrian government forces entered the fray, but the intervention exacerbated tensions, leading to civilian casualties and reports of rights violations against Druze civilians

A ceasefire brokered around 15–16 July, agreed between the Syrian Interior Ministry and local Druze leaders, led to government forces beginning their withdrawal from Suwayda. However, some influential Druze figures rejected the ceasefire, and sporadic fighting persisted even after official announcements.

Israel launched airstrikes on areas near Suwayda and in Damascus on 15–16 July, targeting military convoys, the Defence Ministry, the General Staff HQ, and near the presidential palace. Tel Aviv justified the strikes as efforts to protect the Druze minority and prevent Islamist forces from establishing a presence near the Golan Heights 

By Khagan Isayev