Erdogan Warns of Turkey's Power to "Crush" Terrorists in Syria

On Wednesday, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan issued a stern warning, stating that Turkey possesses the power and determination to "crush" all terrorist groups in Syria, including both Islamic State (ISIS) and Kurdish militants. Erdogan also called on the international community, especially Israel, to "take their hands off" Syria, emphasizing the importance of respecting Syrian sovereignty.

According to Anadolu, Erdogan also criticized Israel's "aggressive actions" towards Syria, urging the country to immediately halt its military actions in Syrian territories. He warned that continued aggression would have negative consequences for everyone involved.

Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government last month, Turkey has voiced strong concerns about the Kurdish YPG militia, which has been a key player in the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Ankara has long considered the YPG a terrorist organization and has made it clear that it believes the militia should disband.

In response to the YPG presence in northeast Syria, Erdogan threatened a potential cross-border operation against the group if their disbandment demands were not met. In a speech to parliament, Erdogan declared that the YPG remains the biggest issue in Syria and that the group would face an "inevitable end" unless they disarmed.

Erdogan's Critique of U.S. and Islamic State Concerns

Erdogan also addressed the ongoing U.S. stance, which has supported the YPG in the fight against Islamic State, particularly in guarding the prisons where ISIS fighters are held. The Turkish president dismissed the notion that ISIS posed a significant threat in the region, saying that Turkey was the only power capable of resolving the issue effectively.

"If there is really a fear of the Islamic State threat in Syria and the region, the biggest power that has the will and power to resolve this issue is Turkey," Erdogan stated. He emphasized that Turkey, alongside Syrian allies, could swiftly eliminate ISIS, the YPG, and other terrorist groups from the region.

Erdogan’s remarks highlight Turkey’s broader strategy in Syria and the region, pushing for the Syrian administration to be given the opportunity to address the Kurdish issue and take control of local prisons. Turkey has repeatedly called on the U.S. to stop its support of the SDF, stressing that Syria’s new leadership is capable of managing the situation.

As tensions remain high, the future of Syrian governance and the influence of foreign powers continue to be central topics of debate in the ongoing conflict.