Turkish FM urges US to end cooperation with YPG terror group in northern Syria

In a significant diplomatic exchange, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has talked to the United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the phone.

During the conversation on Friday, Minister Fidan strongly emphasised to his counterpart that the United States, as an ally, should reconsider its collaboration with the YPG terrorist organisation in northern Syria, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said.

Fidan underscored that Türkiye's counterterrorism operations in Iraq and Syria will continue resolutely.

According to the ministry, the conversation also addressed the ceasefire mechanism between Turkish forces and American troops in the context of Türkiye's ongoing operations in the region, with an agreement reached to ensure the mechanism's effective operation without hindering our fight against terrorism.

The meeting also touched upon the issue of NATO expansion, underscoring the significance of the broader strategic discussions on the international stage.

The phone call came a day after the Pentagon announced the downing of an armed Turkish drone, claiming it was operating near US troops in Syria.

Türkiye's Foreign Ministry said on Friday that downing of the UAV has not affected the execution of the ongoing operation and the striking of identified targets.

The US State Department issued a statement regarding the phone call, with Spokesman Matthew Miller saying the two men "underscored that the United States and Türkiye share a common objective of defeating terrorist threats".

"Regardless of where the threats are based—in Syria, Iraq, or elsewhere—they undermine the security of the United States, Türkiye, and our Allies," Miller said,

"The Secretary highlighted the need to coordinate and deconflict our activities."

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organisation by Türkiye, the US, and the EU – has been responsible for the deaths of more than 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.

The YPG is its Syrian branch.