Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has issued a stark warning to the Kurdish YPG militia in Syria, declaring they must either surrender their weapons or face annihilation. The comments come amid heightened tensions following the ouster of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on December 8 and ongoing hostilities in the region.

Erdogan, addressing lawmakers from his ruling AK Party on Wednesday, stated:

“The separatist murderers will either bid farewell to their weapons, or they will be buried in Syrian lands along with their weapons.”

The Turkish leader also reiterated Ankara’s stance on eradicating what it perceives as a “terrorist organisation” that threatens unity between Turks and Kurds.

Background on YPG and Turkiye’s Position

The YPG militia, a key faction within the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), is considered by Turkiye as the Syrian offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). The PKK has been engaged in an armed insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984 and is designated a terrorist organisation by Turkiye, the United States, and the European Union.

Ankara has consistently urged Washington and other NATO allies to cease their support for the YPG, which has played a pivotal role in combating ISIL (ISIS) in Syria. However, Turkiye remains resolute in its view that the group poses a direct threat to its national security.

Recent Developments

The Turkish Ministry of Defense reported that its forces have neutralized 21 YPG-PKK fighters in operations across northern Syria and Iraq. Meanwhile, Mazloum Abdi, the SDF’s commander, recently acknowledged the presence of PKK fighters in Syria for the first time, asserting their involvement was limited to assisting in the fight against ISIL. Abdi also expressed willingness for PKK fighters to leave Syria, contingent on a comprehensive ceasefire agreement with Turkiye—a demand Ankara has long insisted upon.

Diplomatic Moves

Erdogan revealed plans to open a Turkish consulate in Aleppo soon, signaling a potential shift in Turkiye’s regional diplomatic strategy. He also anticipated increased border activity by summer 2025 as Syrian refugees in Turkiye begin to return home, reflecting ongoing efforts to address the refugee crisis stemming from Syria’s civil war.

Broader Implications

This latest ultimatum underscores Turkiye’s hardline approach toward Kurdish factions it deems a security threat and raises questions about the future of Kurdish autonomy and US-Turkiye relations in the context of Syrian stability.