On January 8, 2025, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced that Turkey is prepared to launch a military operation in northern Syria if the newly established authorities in Damascus do not disband the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG). Turkey views the YPG, which has played a significant role in combating the Islamic State with U.S. support, as an extension of the PKK, a designated terrorist organization in Turkey.
Fidan stated that an ultimatum has been issued to the YPG, demanding the immediate withdrawal of international fighters from Turkey, Iran, and Iraq, as well as PKK leaders from Syria. He emphasized that the YPG must disarm and integrate into the new governance structure to avoid military intervention.
During an interview with CNNTürk, Fidan criticized U.S. support for the YPG, claiming that the fight against the Islamic State has become a pretext for their continued presence. He asserted that Turkey is capable of managing detention facilities for former ISIS fighters and their families if the Syrian authorities are unable to do so.