Trump will have to prioritize Turkey's security over Kurds: Turkish FM

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
22 Dec 2024 23:05
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Turkey hopes that President-elect Trump will decide to withdraw US forces from the region, a move he previously considered during his time in office.

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Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan attends Outreach/BRICS Plus format session at the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024. (AP)

Speaking at a news conference in Damascus on Sunday, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that US President-elect Donald Trump understands the importance of prioritizing Turkey's security needs as a NATO ally over continuing Washington's support for Kurdish fighters.

"When we look at it from America's interests, as a mathematical calculation -- whether Turkey or a terrorist organization like the PKK is more important -- Mr. Trump sees the mathematics immediately," Fidan said.

Turkey has long opposed US support for the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northern Syria, viewing the group's main component, the People's Protection Units (YPG), as an extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

In contrast, the US considers the SDF a vital ally in its alleged fight against jihadist groups.

The US currently maintains approximately 2,000 troops in northern Syria as part of an international coalition purportedly targeting jihadists, a number that the Pentagon stated has doubled this year.

Turkey hopes that Trump will decide to withdraw US forces from the region, a move he previously considered during his time in office.

"There is no need for America to be here. He could not understand why (US troops) are there, what the benefit would be," Fidan said, adding that Trump will likely alter the current order in the region.

"I believe that Mr. Trump will approach this issue differently in the new term, with a more determined and stronger will, that only prioritises American interests," Fidan added.