Turkish authorities are approaching with caution recent reports suggesting potential plans for the withdrawal of US troops from Syria. Simultaneously, Ankara perceives a broader trend indicating a US inclination to disengage not only from Syria but also from the entire Middle East, as reported by the Hürriyet newspaper.
According to Foreign Policy magazine, citing sources within the State Department and Pentagon, the White House is reportedly reconsidering the necessity of the US mission in Syria and is in discussions about the timing and method of troop withdrawal. However, the White House has denied these claims in a statement to the Al Arabiya TV channel.
Turkish sources from the Ministry of Defense have urged caution, emphasizing that reports about US troop withdrawal should be treated with restraint until official statements and concrete steps are taken. Nonetheless, there is a recognition in Ankara that the US is contemplating a departure from the region. Columnist Abdulkadir Selvi noted, "America has realized that it has been dragged into the Middle East quagmire by Israel and Iran, that by giving unconditional support to Israel, especially after the Hamas attack on Israel, it has fallen into a trap."
Turkish authorities have consistently accused the US of supporting the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and its Syrian offshoot, the People's Self-Defense Forces (YPG), groups Ankara considers terrorist organizations. Turkey perceives this as contradictory to the allied relations between the US and Turkey. The PKK and YPG have been involved in conflicts with the Turkish military in northern Syria and Iraq.
Turkish authorities view the PKK and its Syrian offshoot as significant threats to national security. The Turkish military has conducted periodic operations against Kurdish militants in northern Syria since 2015 and maintains a substantial presence on the border with the country.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
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Based on materials from TASS