Turkey Signals Support for Syrian Operations in Aleppo as Assad Engages EU Amid Kurdish Tensions
Damascus/Aleppo, Syria – Turkey has voiced readiness to back Syrian forces in counter-terrorism efforts targeting Kurdish fighters in Aleppo, marking a potential evolution in regional military alignments, even as Syrian President Bashar al-Assad hosted European Union leaders in Damascus amid reports of Syrian army advances in the contested city.
The developments, unfolding over the past 48 hours, highlight shifting dynamics in Syria's long-standing civil war. On January 8, 2026, Turkey expressed support for Syrian operations against Kurdish groups, described by Ankara as terrorists, in Aleppo. This came as Syrian forces asserted control over areas previously held by the People's Protection Units (YPG) and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The following day, January 9, al-Assad met with EU representatives in the capital, signaling potential diplomatic openings amid battlefield gains.
Turkey's ambassador to Syria, Nuh Yilmaz, welcomed the implementation of the April 1 agreement in Aleppo, emphasizing the withdrawal of YPG/SDF fighters as crucial for restoring peace and calm. "The implementation of the April 1 agreement in Aleppo is important for the peace and calm of our brotherly Syrian people," Yilmaz stated, according to Anadolu Agency. The agreement, details of which remain tied to prior de-escalation pacts, appears to facilitate the pullback of Kurdish forces from key districts, reducing tensions in a city that has endured repeated bouts of violence.
In parallel, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a phone call with his Syrian counterpart, Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, to discuss the volatile situation in Aleppo. The conversation focused on recent attacks attributed to the YPG/SDF, underscoring Turkey's concerns over Kurdish militias, which it views as extensions of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a designated terrorist organization. The ministers' dialogue reflects warming ties between Ankara and Damascus, following years of proxy conflicts and cross-border operations.
These events occur against the backdrop of Syria's protracted conflict, which erupted in 2011 with anti-government protests met by a brutal crackdown, evolving into a multi-front war involving Islamist rebels, Kurdish autonomists, and foreign powers. Aleppo, Syria's pre-war economic hub, was recaptured by government forces from rebels in 2016 with Russian and Iranian backing but has since seen sporadic clashes. The YPG/SDF, U.S.-allied forces that spearheaded victories against the Islamic State (ISIS), control swathes of northeast Syria, including oil fields, prompting Turkish incursions like Operations Olive Branch (2018) and Peace Spring (2019) to create buffer zones.
Turkey's stance aligns with its long-standing security priorities: neutralizing perceived PKK threats along its southern border. Ankara has conducted multiple offensives into northern Syria, displacing YPG forces and establishing the Turkish-controlled Syrian National Army. Recent Syrian army movements into former YPG-held Aleppo areas suggest coordination or at least acquiescence from Damascus, which labels the SDF as separatists. The April 1 agreement likely references a bilateral or multilateral understanding—possibly linked to Astana process talks involving Turkey, Russia, and Iran—to delineate control zones and curb Kurdish expansion.
Simultaneously, al-Assad's meeting with EU leaders in Damascus on January 9 represents a rare high-level engagement with Western powers. The European bloc, which imposed sanctions on Syria over human rights abuses and chemical weapons use, has shown tentative signs of reevaluation amid Russia's war in Ukraine and shifting Middle East priorities. Details of the discussions remain sparse, but they coincide with Syrian military assertions in Aleppo, potentially positioning Damascus to leverage territorial gains for sanctions relief or reconstruction aid.
Analysts note these moves could reshape geopolitics. Turkey-Syria rapprochement, initiated in late 2022 with normalization talks, aims to address refugees, border security, and Kurdish issues. Russia and Iran, key Assad backers, maintain influence but face constraints from other commitments. The U.S., with about 900 troops supporting the SDF, views YPG withdrawals warily, fearing ISIS resurgence.
While the situations carry medium severity per initial assessments, risks of escalation persist. YPG/SDF statements have not been immediately available, and Kurdish sources often contest Turkish and Syrian narratives, portraying operations as unprovoked aggression. International monitors, including the UN, continue to urge de-escalation to protect civilians in Aleppo's densely populated neighborhoods.
Looking ahead, implementation of the April 1 agreement and outcomes from the EU talks could stabilize Aleppo temporarily. However, entrenched rivalries—Turkey's anti-Kurdish campaign, Assad's reconquest ambitions, and external patrons' agendas—suggest fragility. Syria's path to lasting peace hinges on broader political settlements, as envisioned in UN Resolution 2254, though progress remains elusive 15 years into the war.
(Word count: 712)
