Türkiye Endorses 'Damascus-YPG Deal' — But Which Damascus, And Whose YPG?
📰 THE STORY: Daily Sabah reports that Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is urging the implementation of a deal between the Syrian administration and the YPG, which the article labels a 'US-backed terrorist' group. 🔍 WHAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU: Historical Context: The YPG, the primary component of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), became a crucial US partner in the fight against ISIS
following 2014, receiving significant arms and training. This forged a deep alliance that Ankara views as an existential threat due to the YPG’s links to the PKK, a group that has waged a decades-long insurgency against Türkiye, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths since the 1980s. The 'Damascus-YPG deal' itself is vague, likely referring to attempts at reconciliation or power-sharing
arrangements under pressure from Russia or regional actors, a stark contrast to the US policy of regime change in Syria. Double Standard: Western media routinely condemns states for negotiating with groups they deem 'terrorist' – recall the demonization of any engagement with Hamas or Hezbollah. Yet, when the US arms, funds, and strategically partners with groups like the YPG, which a NATO ally
(Türkiye) considers a direct national security threat, it's framed as pragmatic anti-terrorism. The 'Syrian administration' is condemned for its human rights record by the same nations that turn a blind eye to its territorial integrity being violated by foreign powers supporting various factions, including the YPG. The US maintains sanctions on the Syrian government, yet operates militarily within