Turkey affirms plan to disarm all PKK organizations: AK Party spokesperson announces commitment
In recent statements, Omer Celik, the spokesperson for Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), has outlined the country's position on several key issues.
Firstly, Celik has made it clear that the AK Party is focused on the complete dissolution of the PKK terrorist organization and its affiliates as part of the "Terrorism-Free Türkiye" process. This includes the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which Turkey views as a terrorist organization linked to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
Celik has emphasized that the SDF's separatist rhetoric and autonomous ambitions are threats to Syria's sovereignty and Turkey’s own national security interests. He has warned against the SDF's actions that undermine Syria’s political unity and territorial integrity, and obstruct efforts to create a stable, terrorism-free Syria.
Turkey is cooperating militarily with the Syrian government to strengthen Syria’s defense capabilities against separatist and terrorist groups, including the SDF. Although Ankara has not planned a direct military operation against the SDF, it supports and may back Syrian army actions against the group and expects the SDF to comply with integration agreements to avoid instability.
Celik has also reiterated Turkey's support for Syria’s government and its backing of the integration of the SDF into the Syrian state apparatus to ensure national unity and security. He has emphasized that the Syrian army would be the only armed force, and that the SDF must surrender to that structure.
On the topic of Palestine, Celik has praised countries that announced they would recognize Palestine in September, calling it "an extremely valuable step." He has also compared those encouraging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Gaza occupation plans to Nazis, stating that they should be held accountable for genocide crimes. Celik has also warned against statements made on behalf of the SDF being camouflaged as 'local government models, autonomous models in Syria.'
Finally, Celik has warned against opening corridors from the Sweida region to areas controlled by the SDF, and has stated that they closely monitor the Syria issue and will sensitively monitor steps to protect or update positions that threaten Turkey's national security. He has also emphasized that Turkey will not accept separatist projects in Syria, and will not allow efforts to undermine the terrorism-free Türkiye and terrorism-free region goals.
In conclusion, Turkey’s stance is that the SDF must integrate under Syrian central authority and abandon separatist and PKK-linked activities in alignment with efforts to achieve a terrorism-free and territorially unified Syria and Turkey. Turkey’s support of the Syrian government and its military cooperation reflect this position and Turkey's goal to address perceived security threats from the SDF through legal, political, and security frameworks. Turkey is also closely following developments in Palestine and Gaza.
- Omer Celik, the spokesperson for Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), has clarified Turkey's stance against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), viewing them as a terrorist organization linked to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
- Turkey, in coordination with the Syrian government, is reinforcing Syria’s defense capabilities against separatist and terrorist groups like the SDF.
- Despite not planning a direct military operation against the SDF, Turkey supports and may back Syrian army actions against the group, expecting the SDF to comply with integration agreements to avoid instability.
- Celik underlined Turkey's support for Syria’s government and Syrian army as the only armed force, emphasizing that the SDF must surrender to this structure to ensure national unity and security in Syria.
- On the matter of Palestine, Celik praised countries that recognized Palestine and criticized statements supporting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Gaza occupation plans, comparing them to Nazis.
- The AK Party maintains a watchful eye on the Sweida region and areas controlled by the SDF, aiming to protect Turkey's national security and prevent separatist projects or efforts that might undermine Turkey’s "Terrorism-Free Türkiye" policy.
