ANKARA, Turkey — President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared on January 6, 2025, that Turkey will not permit any division of Syria following the potential fall of President Bashar al-Assad, emphasizing that Ankara is prepared to take "necessary measures" against any perceived danger.

In remarks made after a Cabinet meeting, Erdogan stated, "Turkey cannot allow, under any pretext, the division of Syria." He added that if Turkey detects even the slightest risk of such a scenario, it will swiftly take appropriate actions.

The Turkish leader asserted that the "end of Kurdish militants in Syria is approaching," asserting that there is no room for "terrorism" in Syria's future. He hinted at the possibility of launching a new cross-border operation against Kurdish armed factions if Turkey feels threatened.

"Inshallah, we can do so. Everyone should reconsider their calculations based on this," Erdogan warned.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan had previously stated that Turkey would take "all necessary steps" to ensure its security if the new Syrian administration fails to address Ankara's concerns regarding Kurdish groups allied with the United States.

Turkey considers the People's Protection Units (YPG), the armed group leading the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has waged a 40-year insurgency against the Turkish state. Ankara, along with the U.S. and the EU, designates them as a terrorist organization.

Fighting has intensified since the ousting of Assad in December, with Turkey and its supported Syrian groups taking control of the city of Manbij from the SDF on December 9. The fall of Assad has left Kurdish factions in a defensive position as they strive to maintain the political gains achieved over the past thirteen years.