Turkey and neighbors unite to eliminate Islamic State remnants

In a significant geopolitical shift, Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Jordan have announced plans to collaborate in the fight against the remnants of the Islamic State group. This decision, conveyed by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan during a news conference in Doha, Qatar, underlines a critical move away from U.S. support of Kurdish forces in Syria. These Kurdish-led troops, specifically the People's Defense Units (YPG), have been central to the fight against IS, although Turkey views them as connected to the PKK, a designated terrorist organization. The U.S. has relied on the YPG to guard IS prisoners in northeast Syria, but Turkey's alliance with its regional neighbors aims to bring about a change in this dynamic. The Turkish foreign minister emphasized that the YPG has primarily focused on managing IS inmates without engaging in broader military operations against IS. Fidan stated that the countries involved have already initiated preliminary discussions for this collaborative effort. This partnership is reportedly welcomed by the new Syrian government, which has expressed willingness to take responsibility for IS prisoners. The Turkish government has been vocal about its opposition to U.S. backing of Kurdish forces, advocating for a reallocation of U.S. military support toward Iraqi and Syrian efforts against IS. Ankara hopes for a decisive shift in U.S. policy under President Donald Trump, moving away from Kurdish alliances that Turkey considers a threat to national security. In the backdrop of this collaboration, recent military engagements in the region reflect escalating tensions. Turkey has intensified its military operations against Kurdish groups in both Syria and northern Iraq, resulting in significant casualties. As Turkish-backed forces target Kurdish positions, Ankara is pressuring the Syrian Democratic Forces to remove elements tied to the PKK and integrate into a unified Syrian military structure. This altercation is critical as the U.S. maintains a military presence in northeast Syria, ostensibly to continue the fight against IS. These developments indicate a reshaping of alliances in the region, potentially altering the dynamics of the fight against Islamic extremism. Turkey, alongside its neighbors, aims to enhance regional security while seeking to diminish U.S. influence and support for Kurdish forces, which have long been central to American strategies in the area. The outcome of these collaborations remains to be seen, but they highlight a significant shift in how regional powers approach the common threat of the Islamic State group.