Following a meeting with Secretary of State Antony Blinken to discuss the fight against ISIS in Syria, Turkey’s foreign minister, Hakan Fidan, declared his country’s aim to eliminate the YPG, the main Syrian Kurdish fighting force that partnered with the U.S. in defeating ISIS. In a televised statement on NTV, Fidan stated that the YPG’s elimination is a strategic objective for Turkey, while also emphasizing the need to protect Turkey’s own Kurdish population.

The State Department responded to Fidan’s comments by referring to a previous statement issued after Blinken’s meeting with Fidan. This statement highlighted the importance of U.S.-Turkish collaboration in the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS mission in Syria.

The U.S. maintains a long-standing military alliance with the YPG, a key component of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), instrumental in dismantling ISIS in Syria.

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has capitalized on the Syrian civil war to expand Turkish control over territory held by pro-American Syrian Kurds, potentially jeopardizing the progress made against ISIS.

SDF Commander-in-Chief Gen. Mazloum Abdi described the situation as dangerously volatile, stating that the SDF faces constant attacks from the Turkish military and Turkish-backed opposition forces, hindering counterterrorism operations.

The Turkish offensive against the SDF risks the escape of ISIS prisoners held in SDF-run camps. The SDF has diverted substantial resources to counter the Turkish-backed offensive.

Concerns about a potential mass release of ISIS prisoners from northern Syria due to Erdoğan’s planned invasion were previously reported.

The U.S. recently brokered a ceasefire between the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA), the Syrian opposition (TSO), and the SDF.

Approximately 900 U.S. troops are stationed in northeastern Syria, coordinating with the SDF to prevent ISIS resurgence following the recent Turkish attacks against the Syrian Kurds.

Senator Lindsey Graham warned Turkey, reiterating his willingness to support bipartisan sanctions against Turkey should they continue military operations against the Kurdish forces that aided in the defeat of ISIS.

Digital attempted to contact Turkish officials, including embassy spokespeople and the UN mission, for comment.

Turkish diplomats previously emphasized the threat to national security posed by the PKK/YPG terrorist network. The PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party) is designated a terrorist organization by the U.S.

Efrat Aviv, a Turkey expert at Bar-Ilan University, highlighted that Turkey’s actions complicate the Syrian conflict and hinder efforts towards a resolution. She suggested that Turkish withdrawal and cessation of conflict with the Kurds could improve regional stability and counter-terrorism efforts.

Uzay Bulut, a Turkish political analyst, stated that Erdoğan’s ambition in Syria remains focused on territorial expansion and demographic change, resulting in instability and persecution of minorities.

Bulut urged for diplomatic intervention to protect religious and ethnic minorities in Syria, particularly Christians, from abuses and forced displacement.

Syria’s Christian population has drastically decreased since the start of the civil war in 2011, facing persecution from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its allies.

Bulut identified HTS, an al-Qaeda offshoot backed by Turkey, as the driving force behind the assault against Syrian Kurds and Christians, aiming to establish Islamic rule in Syria.

The Trump transition team did not respond to inquiries.

A State Department spokesperson declined to comment on potential sanctions against Turkey.

Secretary Blinken met with his Turkish counterpart, and their meeting included reiterating calls for respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Syrians and preventing Syria from being a base for terrorism.