Erdogan Hints at Operations Against Kurdish Forces… and Major Steps to Support Damascus

As violent clashes continue between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Turkey-backed factions near the Tishreen Dam in eastern Aleppo, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed that Ankara will take new measures to secure its southern borders. Erdogan stated that Turkey will begin 2025 with steps to enhance the security of its southern borders and eliminate “external terrorist threats.”

Erdogan emphasized Turkey’s commitment to ensuring stability in the region surrounding its southern borders and combating organizations that threaten its security and regional stability, including the “Kurdistan Workers’ Party” (PKK), its Syrian extension (the Kurdish People’s Defense Units, YPG), and ISIS.

Speaking at a regional conference for the “Justice and Development Party” in Bursa, western Turkey, on Saturday, Erdogan also highlighted Turkey’s role in the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Syria, where it has hosted over 3 million Syrian refugees who fled the civil war. He assured that Turkey will continue its efforts to assist Syrians wishing to return to their homeland for safe and dignified voluntary returns.

Erdogan remarked, “Bursa, like the Anatolian geography, is a big-hearted city, with brothers from the Balkans, the Caucasus, and from Damascus and Aleppo. Bursa is the sister of Hama and Damascus.” He accused the opposition “Republican People’s Party” (CHP) of exploiting the Syrian refugee issue for negative propaganda, pointing out that the return of Syrians to their country has troubled those who used their presence for political exploitation.