The shift in rhetoric from Ankara underscores a deepened strategic alignment with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. For Turkey, the deal is not merely a matter of Syrian internal policy but a vital component of its own national security architecture. By facilitating the reintegration of Kurdish forces into the Syrian state framework, Turkey aims to neutralize perceived security threats at their source. Turkish officials believe that a unified Syrian state, capable of exercising full sovereignty over its territory, is the most effective mechanism for eliminating cross-border terrorism and stabilizing a region that has been defined by fragmentation for over a decade.
Central to Turkey’s support for the accord is the potential for a domestic peace dividend. Security sources indicate that the stabilization of northern Syria is intricately linked to Ankara’s long-running efforts to secure a definitive peace with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). By fostering a structured integration in Syria, Turkey hopes to dismantle the operational environment that has historically sustained insurgent activities. This holistic approach suggests that Ankara views the Syrian government's re-assertion of control not as a threat, but as a necessary prerequisite for ending the cycle of violence that has plagued the border regions.
As Syrian army units begin to mobilize—exemplified by the recent takeover of strategic positions near Tabqa—the practical implications of the deal are already becoming visible on the ground. The transition signals a move away from the era of non-state militias toward a centralized military command under Damascus. While the road to full implementation remains complex, the official endorsement from Turkey provides the deal with significant regional weight. It marks a decisive transition in Turkish foreign policy, prioritizing state-to-state cooperation and the integrity of Syrian borders as the primary vehicles for achieving long-term security and regional equilibrium.
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