Turkey’s Erdogan commends Syria’s army for its sensitive operation to integrate Kurdish forces, calling the ceasefire deal a key achievement.
ISTANBUL: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday hailed the Syrian army for its “careful” offensive to take over Kurdish-held areas of the country’s northeast.
He said the operation’s management was commendable despite provocations.
“The Syrian army’s careful management of this sensitive operation … is commendable,” Erdogan stated.
He added that the army had avoided actions that would put them in the wrong when they are in the right.
Deadly clashes erupted about two weeks ago between Syrian government forces and the Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
The fighting followed a failed year-end deadline to merge Kurdish fighters into the main Damascus military.
The Syrian army later expelled the SDF from Aleppo and pushed rapidly eastwards, sparking further clashes.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa announced a ceasefire deal late Sunday to end the violence.
The agreement will see Kurdish fighters and administrative bodies merged into the central state.
Turkey has long been hostile to the US-backed SDF, viewing it as an extension of the militant PKK.
Ankara considers the group a major threat along its 900-kilometre border with Syria.
“The principle of one state, one army is indispensable for stability,” said Erdogan.
He described the ceasefire and integration agreement as a very important achievement for lasting peace.
Erdogan urged for the deal to be implemented as soon as possible.
“There is no excuse for stalling or playing for time,” he said.
“The era of terror in our region is over. No one should miscalculate.”
