Erdoğan Hints at Turkish–Syrian Understanding Against the SDF, Blames It for Escalation

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have failed to abide by the March 10 agreement and have not handed over the areas under their control to the Syrian government, stressing Ankara’s rejection of any separatist entity that threatens Turkey’s national security. He described the Syrian army’s operations against the SDF as “legitimate,” calling on the group to lay down its arms and comply with the agreements.

Erdoğan’s remarks clearly reveal an undeclared Turkish–Syrian understanding in confronting the SDF, as Ankara has effectively granted the Syrian offensive a political green light. This stance reflects a convergence of interests between Turkey and Syria in ending the self-administration project in northern Syria, and sends a direct message to the SDF that betting on U.S. support is no longer sufficient amid shifting regional balances.