Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: Preliminary reports of shooting operation at Allenby crossing with Jordan.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two were martyred in an initial toll of the Israeli drone strike that targeted the al-Asira neighborhood in the city of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli drone strike targeted the al-Asira neighborhood east of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon
Sheikh Naim Qassem to the pager attack survivors: You are the greatest resistance. Know that 'Israel' will fall because it embodies aggression, crime, and occupation; victory is truly yours
Sheikh Qassem to the pager attack survivors: The value of what you are doing despite your wounds is immense, and here you are, treading the path of the Master of Nation's Martyrs and the leaders
Sheikh Qassem to the pager attack survivors: You are moving forward with insight deeper than sight itself. The enemy sought to eliminate your role in the battle, yet you remain steadfast and continue the fight
Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem to the pager attack survivors one year later: You are healing from your wounds and rising above them. You have successfully passed the test
Palestinian media: Reports of stabbing operation in occupied al-Quds.
Israeli media: Sirens blare in Arava in South, near Ramon Airport.
Egyptian PM Mostafa Madbouli: Egypt is targeted in plans to redraw regional map

Turkiye urges US to end support for Syrian Kurdish militias

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 28 Dec 2024 20:27
4 Min Read

A spokesperson for the Turkish Foreign Ministry stated that Fidan specifically referred to the People's Protection Units (YPG), the leading force in the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

Listen
  • x
  • AP
    Turkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, left, speaks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during a meeting with the foreign ministers of the Arab Contact Group on Syria in Jordan's southern Red Sea coastal city of Aqaba, on Saturday, December 14, 2024. (AP)

Turkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, in a phone call with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday, reiterated Ankara's opposition to the presence of Syrian Kurdish fighters supported by Washington, emphasizing that they "cannot be allowed to take shelter in Syria."

A spokesperson for the Turkish Foreign Ministry stated that Fidan specifically referred to the People's Protection Units (YPG), the leading force in the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Ankara regards the YPG as a Syrian affiliate of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a group Turkiye has designated as a terrorist organization.

Turkiye has long criticized the US for its partnership with the SDF in northern Syria, while Washington claims that the Kurdish-led forces are essential to preventing the resurgence of ISIS. The US credits SDF for playing a central role in allegedly defeating ISIS militants in 2019.

During the conversation, Fidan conveyed Turkiye's support for efforts by Syria's new administration to maintain "territorial integrity and security." He also stressed the importance of coordinated action, saying, "It is important to act in cooperation with the new Syrian administration in order to ensure stability in Syria and to complete the transition period in an orderly manner," according to the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

Read more: Trump will have to prioritize Turkiye security over Kurds: Turkish FM

ISIS resurgence, US troops' future uncertain in Syria

Related News

US removes Syria envoys as Kurds face pressure to join Damascus

Syria's al-Sharaa: Security deal with 'Israel' is a necessity

A recent report by the Washington Post on Monday explained that the sudden ousting of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria has led to uncertainty about the long-standing US military presence in the country.

As the Pentagon's primary partner in Syria, the SDF fight for survival as US President-elect Donald Trump, who is skeptical of foreign military commitments, will face a transformed Middle East when he begins his second term next month. One of the key questions will be the future of the nearly 2,000 US troops stationed in eastern Syria.

The Washington Post notes that despite Trump’s repeated threats to withdraw US forces from Syria during his first term, he has not revealed any specific plans for the troops there. However, he and his advisors have emphasized that "containing" ISIS will remain a top priority.

In turn, James Jeffrey, former US Special Envoy for Syria during Trump’s first term, framed the narrative, saying that Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has fought ISIS in the past, as mentioned in the report. 

Significantly, the report fails to mention the pretext under which the two armed groups fought, leaving the intricate details of the 13-year war in Syria unaddressed. However,  the Washington Post stressed that Jefferey argued that this aforementioned point could increase pressure on Trump to justify the US presence in Syria.

Read more: Trump could lead new Iran deal after Assad's fall: Sullivan

Jeffrey told the Washington Post, "Trump will ask: Why should I keep troops to fight ISIS, when our entire fight is basically bombing them in the desert?"

He added, "It will be extremely difficult to answer that question."

The Washington Post further reports that Representative Michael Waltz, chosen by Trump as National Security Advisor, said the president would prioritize reducing foreign entanglements. However, Waltz also acknowledged that preventing the return of ISIS remains "the number one priority," making the military strategy for the incoming administration unclear.

  • Syria
  • YPG
  • Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Turkey
  • US occupation of Syria
  • Hakan Fidan
  • PKK
  • SDF
  • kurdish militias
  • Turkiye
  • Turkish Foreign Ministry

Most Read

Why is Choose Love using a firm with British and US intelligence connections to run a pro-Palestine musical event? (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Together for Palestine: Troubling questions about the organisers of this huge event

  • Opinion
  • 17 Sep 2025
Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza.

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza

  • Politics
  • 12 Sep 2025
A screengrab from the ad played on Fox News. (X Screengrab)

Fox airs ad warning Trump not to let Netanyahu 'play' him on Gaza

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization

Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization

  • Palestine
  • 14 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A Hezbollah supporter who lost his sight in a pager attack carried out by "Israel" on Sept. 17, 2024, covers his eyes with a red headband inscribed with the name "Hussein" during Ashoura, July 6, 2025 (AP)
Politics

'We Have Recovered': Lebanon marks 1st anniversary of Pager Attack

The Arab neighborhood of El Za'im, on the outskirts of east Occupied Al-Quds in the West Bank, near where Israeli government says housing units will be built as part of the E1 settlement project, Thursday, August 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Palestine

'Israel’s' deliberate policies drive West Bank economy toward collapse

Ben & Jerry's ice cream shop, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Politics

Ben & Jerry’s co-founder resigns over parent company curbing activism

Trump’s approval rating falls to new low in second term: Poll
US & Canada

Trump’s approval rating falls to new low in second term: Poll

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS