The Turkish army is ready to support Syria in its fight against the YPG/SDF in the city of Aleppo if the Syrian government asks for formal assistance, Turkey’s defence ministry sources have assured in recent hours following the offensive launched by Damascus to drive the group out of the country’s second largest city.
Turkish defence ministry spokesman Rear Admiral Zeki Aktürk explained that although the operation in Aleppo is being carried out entirely by the Syrian army, Ankara is closely monitoring the situation and is ready to provide all necessary support. Aktürk confirmed to the press that, following several attacks attributed to the YPG against civilians and security forces in Aleppo that left four dead and 18 wounded, Damascus has launched an anti-terrorist operation to expel YPG/SDF forces from this important northern Syria‘s city.
“Following attacks by the terrorist organisation (YPG) on civilians and security forces, which have killed four people and injured 18 others, the Syrian government has launched an anti-terrorist operation in Aleppo to ensure public order and the safety of its citizens. This operation is being carried out entirely by the Syrian army. Syria’s security is our security. Türkiye is closely following developments in Syria. In line with the principle of “one state, one army”, our country supports Syria’s fight against terrorist organisations on the basis of Syria’s unity and territorial integrity. In this context, if Syria requests assistance, Turkey will provide the necessary support,” the rear admiral was quoted as saying by the Anatolia news agency.
Syrian state media reported that the self-styled Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), led by the YPG (the Syrian branch of the PKK), shelled residential neighbourhoods in Aleppo for the third consecutive day, displacing thousands of civilians and causing several casualties. In response, and after the expiration today at noon of the ultimatum given by the Syrian government to the YPG to withdraw from Aleppo, the Syrian army announced that it will carry out targeted counter-terrorism operations against the SDF in the districts of Ashrafieh, Sheikh Maqsoud and Bani Zeid, starting at 13:30 local time (11:30 CET).
The YPG controls large parts of northeastern Syria and has been the main US ally in the region during the years when the so-called Islamic State dominated large swathes of Syria and Iraq. During the Syrian civil war it even created an autonomous administration in that region and in several districts of Aleppo. In March 2025 Damascus and the YPG-dominated SDF reached a “historic agreement” to fully integrate its militias into the Syrian army by the end of the year; but since then, and despite attempts at mediation even by the US, there has been little progress and the Syrian government accuses the SDF of delaying attempts to reunify the country with new demands for more self-rule.
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Edited and reviewed by:
Pablo Gómez is a specialist in Turkey and has been editor-in-chief of Hispanatolia since 2011. He has been analysing current affairs and geopolitics in Turkey and the surrounding region since 2006.
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