Kurdish Initiative to Secure Northern Syria’s Borders with U.S. and French Forces

10th January 2025

2 minutes read

Kurdish Initiative to Secure Northern Syria’s Borders with U.S. and French Forces

It remains unclear to what extent Turkey will accept the Kurdish initiative, as Ankara has spent years securing its borders against threats from Syria and has vowed to destroy the People’s Protection Units (YPG).

Ilham Ahmed, co-chair of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Kurdish administration, stated that discussions are underway to secure northern Syria’s borders with U.S. and French forces. She emphasized that France is being asked to assist in establishing good relations with Turkey as part of efforts to defuse conflict between Turkey and Western-backed Syrian Kurdish forces.

Ahmed noted that the autonomous administration is ready to entrust the U.S.-French coalition with the responsibility of securing northern Syria’s borders, according to TV5 Monde.

Ankara is threatening a cross-border offensive in northeastern Syria against the YPG if the group does not meet Turkey’s demands. Turkey considers the YPG, which leads the U.S.-allied Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a terrorist group linked to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which has waged an insurgency against the Turkish state for 40 years.

TV5 Monde reported Ilham Ahmed as saying: “The United States and France can indeed fully secure the borders. We are ready for this military coalition to take on this responsibility.”

She added: “We are asking the French to send troops to these borders to secure the demilitarized zone, help us protect the region, and establish good relations with Turkey.”

However, Turkey’s acceptance of such an initiative remains uncertain, given its long-standing efforts to secure its borders and its commitment to destroying the YPG.

Ahmed stated: “Once France can convince Turkey to accept its presence on the borders, we can begin the peace process. We hope everything will be resolved in the coming weeks.”

A source familiar with the matter confirmed that discussions are ongoing but declined to disclose their progress or feasibility.

The Turkish Ministry of Defense reaffirmed today, Thursday, that its armed forces are determined to continue cross-border operations unless the groups labeled as terrorists lay down their arms, while respecting Syria’s territorial integrity.

The Kurds, who played a key role in the fight against the Islamic State organization, established educational, social, and military institutions. For years, they have sought to preserve their achievements, despite accusations of “separatism” leveled against them by the previous Syrian regime.

Since 2016, Turkey has conducted several military operations in northeastern Syria, enabling its forces to control a vast border strip. However, tensions remain high between Ankara, the Syrian Kurds, and their Western allies.