Ankara: Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Gler warned the Kurdish SDF in Syria against expanding its armed activities. During a ceremony today in Ankara, the capital, to award medals and prizes to some Turkish army units, Gler said: “The PKK terrorist organization and all its extensions must end their terrorist activities and surrender their weapons unconditionally in all areas where they are present, including Syria.” He emphasized that his country will not allow the SDF to become entrenched in the region.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Turkish Defense Minister referred to the decision made by the PKK on May 12th to dissolve itself and lay down its arms in response to the call of its founder, Abdullah -calan, who is serving a life sentence in Turkey. He emphasized that Turkey sincerely desires the success of this process, but achieving it requires the PKK and all affiliated groups to cease all their activities in all areas where they are present, including Syria, and to surrender their weapons.

Gler added, “I reiterate that we will not allow any terrorist organization, especially the PKK/YPG/PYD/SDF, to establish a foothold in the region.”

Last Sunday, Syria announced that the meetings held in Damascus with the YPG/PKK, also known as the SDF, and attended by its leader, Mazloum Abdi, regarding the implementation of the March 10th agreement, “did not yield tangible results.” The SDF continues to stall in implementing the terms of the agreement signed by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and the SDF leader concerning the integration of civilian and military institutions in northeastern Syria under state administration.

The SDF launched an attack today, Tuesday, on residential neighborhoods in the city of Aleppo, northern Syria, resulting in the death of three civilians and injuries to 15 others. Some residents were displaced from the area.