Turkiye has dismissed claims by the United States that it agreed to a ceasefire with Kurdish fighters in northern Syria, asserting that its military operations will continue to eliminate what it calls terrorist threats.

On Thursday, a senior Turkish defense official criticized remarks by US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, who had suggested that a Washington-brokered ceasefire between Turkish-backed rebels and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Manbij had been extended until the end of the week.

The official labeled the statement a “slip of the tongue,” asserting, “It is out of the question for Turkiye to engage with the SDF, which is led by the YPG, an extension of the PKK.”

Turkiye’s Stance on Kurdish Groups

While the US supports the SDF in its fight against ISIL, Ankara considers the PKK, YPG, and SDF as terrorist organizations. The PKK has led a decades-long insurgency against Turkiye and is listed as a terrorist group by both the US and Turkiye’s Western allies. However, the YPG and SDF are not classified similarly by these allies.

The Turkish official reaffirmed Turkiye’s position, stating, “Until the PKK/YPG terrorist organization disarms and its foreign fighters leave Syria, our preparations and measures will continue within the scope of the fight against terrorism.”

Renewed Tensions Amid Political Shifts in Syria

The escalation comes in the wake of significant developments in Syria, including the ousting of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Opposition factions, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), recently toppled the regime in a swift offensive on Damascus.

Turkiye has called on the new Syrian administration to remove foreign fighters, particularly those affiliated with the PKK/YPG, from Syrian territory. “If the new administration cannot address this issue, Turkiye may intervene,” said Al Jazeera’s Sinem Koseoglu, reporting from Istanbul.

Concerns have also grown over a potential Turkish military assault on the Kurdish-held border town of Kobane, northeast of Manbij.

Trump’s Remarks and Turkiye’s Rebuttal

US President-elect Donald Trump characterized the removal of al-Assad as an “unfriendly takeover” by Turkiye, which has backed opposition groups in Syria. Turkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan dismissed Trump’s assertion, calling it “a grave mistake” and emphasizing that Turkiye’s actions are aligned with its anti-terrorism goals.

Looking Ahead

As tensions mount, Turkiye remains resolute in its operations against Kurdish forces in northern Syria, stressing the importance of eliminating what it views as terrorist threats. The international community, meanwhile, watches closely, as the region’s shifting political landscape continues to evolve.