Türkiye signals zero tolerance for armed groups in Syria, regards them "legitimate targets" VIDEO

Turkish Minister of National Defence Yaşar Güler has issued a strong warning to terrorist organizations operating in Syria, declaring that any group refusing to lay down its arms will remain a “legitimate target” by Türkiye.

The statement came during a high-level security meeting chaired by Güler, the details of which were shared by the Turkish Ministry of National Defence via its official social media platform, X, Caliber.Az reports.

Millî Savunma Bakanı Yaşar Güler başkanlığında; Genelkurmay Başkanı Orgeneral Metin Gürak, Deniz Kuvvetleri Komutanı Oramiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu, Kara Kuvvetleri Komutanı Orgeneral Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu, Hava Kuvvetleri Komutanı Orgeneral Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu ve Bakan Yardımcıları… pic.twitter.com/kPMa4COWkd

— T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) April 14, 2025

“In the framework of the agreement reached between the new Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the withdrawal and redeployment of troops in certain regions is being closely monitored,” Güler said. “Türkiye’s expectations and concerns have been clearly conveyed during this process.”

Turning his attention to the disarmament efforts of the PKK, which Ankara designates as a terrorist organisation, Güler reaffirmed Türkiye’s uncompromising stance.

“Any entity that insists on not laying down weapons today and tries to provoke disunity rather than brotherhood will remain our legitimate target, just as it was yesterday,” he stated firmly.

Güler’s remarks reflect Ankara’s continued focus on regional stability and counterterrorism, particularly in northern Syria, where Türkiye has conducted multiple cross-border operations against the PKK and affiliated groups. The Turkish government remains wary of any developments on its southern border that could threaten its national security or the territorial integrity of Syria.

The warning also comes amid shifting dynamics in Syria, as the new interim government continues negotiations and integration efforts with various armed factions, including the SDF. Türkiye has repeatedly expressed concern over the SDF's ties to the PKK and has called for the dismantling of all affiliated armed groups in the region.

By Vafa Guliyeva