The Turkish newspaper “Hurriyet” reported, “The Turkish authorities have begun the countdown to military action against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party militants present in Syria.”.
The newspaper quoted military sources as saying, “The Turkish Armed Forces have been placed on combat alert in anticipation of a possible operation in Syria against Kurdistan Workers’ Party militants.”
According to the newspaper, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan issued “a final ultimatum to the PKK militants in Syria, and if these calls are ignored, the military operation may become an urgent matter.”
She added: “So far, diplomacy has succeeded in buying time, but the hourglass is running out of time. From this moment, the countdown to military action has begun,” noting that “the Turkish authorities will not negotiate with Kurdish militants in Syria.”
The newspaper said: “On the other hand, the leadership of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, as well as the People’s Protection Units, are still seeking negotiations, but the new Syrian administration and Turkey reject the possibility of holding negotiations.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stressed that “the new Syrian leadership is determined to uproot the separatists there, anticipating Syria’s support for Turkey’s battle with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party.”
37 killed in clashes between pro-Turkish forces and Kurdish forces
On Thursday, media reports from Syria reported that 37 people were killed in clashes between forces allied with Türkiye and Kurdish forces in Syria.
Agence France-Presse quoted the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights as saying, “The deaths occurred in battles in which aircraft were used between Kurdish forces and Syrian factions loyal to Turkey in an area in northern Syria.”
Mazloum Abdi: We agreed with the new Syrian administration to reject “division projects”
Mazloum Abdi, commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), confirmed “the agreement with the new authority in Damascus to reject “any divisive projects” that threaten the country’s unity.”
Abdi said, “A positive” meeting brought together the leadership of the two parties at the end of last month in Damascus, adding, “We agree that we are with the unity and integrity of the Syrian territories, and to reject any divisive projects that threaten the country’s unity.”
In a written statement to Agence France-Presse, he added: “We discussed together the future phase after the fall of the Assad regime and how to rise again in Syria built on solid foundations.”
He stressed “support for the new administration’s efforts to achieve stability in Syria in order to create the atmosphere for constructive dialogue between Syrians,” considering that “it is the responsibility of the new administration to intervene in order to achieve a ceasefire throughout Syria.”
Yesterday, Wednesday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stressed the importance of “involving the Syrian Kurds in the transitional process in Syria,” noting their role “as allies of Paris and Washington in the fight against ISIS.”
Appointment of Major General Ali Al-Naasan as Chief of Staff in Syria
Syrian media reported, “The General Command in Syria decided to appoint Major General Ali Nour al-Din al-Naasan as chief of the country’s new Chief of Staff.”
Al-Sisi sends a message to the Syrian people
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi stressed his country’s keenness on Syria’s unity and territorial integrity, and the need for the political process to include all Syrian factions.
The Egyptian President said during his meeting with the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Mizzola, that Egypt will always stand with the brotherly Syrian people.
The foreign ministers of Italy, France, Germany, Britain, and the United States, in addition to European Union Foreign Affairs Officer Kaya Callas, are scheduled to meet in Rome on Thursday to discuss the Syrian situation.
Last updated: January 9, 2025 – 15:59
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