US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s Visit to Turkey
Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, flew to Turkey yesterday and met with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for over an hour. During their meeting, Blinken emphasized the importance of working together to prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State (IS) group in Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad.
Preventing IS Resurgence in Syria
Blinken stated that the US had worked hard to eliminate the territorial caliphate of IS and that it was imperative to continue these efforts to prevent the group from re-emerging. In response, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan assured Blinken that Turkey was committed to ensuring stability in Syria as soon as possible and preventing IS jihadists from gaining a foothold there.
Divisions over Kurdish-led SDF
The meeting also highlighted the divisions between Turkey and the US over the Kurdish-led SDF (Syrian Democratic Forces). Turkey sees the SDF as an extension of the banned PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party) that has fought a decades-long insurgency on Turkish soil. However, the US views the SDF as a key ally in the fight against IS and has praised its efforts in defeating the group’s self-declared caliphate in Syria in 2019.
Fighting between Proxy Forces
The fighting between Turkish proxy forces and the SDF has raised concerns about the competing interests of NATO allies in Syria. Faik Bulut, an expert on the Kurdish question, believes that Turkey is seeking to take advantage of the vacuum to cleanse the region of Kurdish fighters, allowing Erdogan to gain a position of strength during talks with incoming US President Donald Trump.
Encouraging Signs of Gaza Truce
Blinken also expressed optimism about the prospects for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, urging Turkey to use its influence to encourage Hamas to accept a ceasefire agreement. He stated that there were encouraging signs of progress towards a ceasefire and that the US appreciated Turkey’s role in using its voice with Hamas to bring an end to the conflict.
Turkey’s Ties with Hamas
Turkey has long had close ties with Hamas, viewing it as a national liberation movement rather than a proscribed terror organization. Erdogan has frequently hosted Hamas’s political leaders and has allowed Istanbul to be used as one of their foreign bases during his two-decade rule.
Conclusion
The meeting between Blinken and Erdogan highlighted the complex issues facing the US and Turkey in the region. While there are areas of agreement, such as the need to prevent a resurgence of IS, there are also significant divisions over issues like the Kurdish-led SDF and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As the US and Turkey navigate these challenges, it is clear that their relationship will continue to be shaped by their competing interests and priorities.
FAQs
Q: What was the main topic of discussion between Blinken and Erdogan?
A: The main topic of discussion was the need to prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State (IS) group in Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad.
Q: What is Turkey’s stance on the Kurdish-led SDF?
A: Turkey sees the SDF as an extension of the banned PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party) and has launched military operations against the group.
Q: What is the US stance on the Kurdish-led SDF?
A: The US views the SDF as a key ally in the fight against IS and has praised its efforts in defeating the group’s self-declared caliphate in Syria in 2019.
Q: What is Turkey’s relationship with Hamas?
A: Turkey has long had close ties with Hamas, viewing it as a national liberation movement rather than a proscribed terror organization.