Kurds Accuse Turkey of Seizing Northern Syria and Eyeing Eastern Border with Iraq

Kurdish sources in Syria have accused Turkey of occupying territories in northern Syria and planning to take control of the border area with Iraq to the east. These claims were reported on Thursday evening by Kan News. The Kurds, who have been compelled to integrate into the new Damascus-led government, stated that Turkey's military presence in the region is not recent, dating back to 2016 according to Kurdish human rights organizations in northern Syria. They allege that Turkey aims to transform Syria into a Turkish province through its influence over the new Syrian regime, showing disregard for the Syrian people.

A military source formerly part of the Kurdish forces in northern Syria told Kan News that Turkey exerts intelligence control in Syria, expanding its influence not only through direct military presence but also via Syrian factions supported by Ankara. These factions have been incorporated into President Ahmad al-Sharaa's new Syrian army. The source added that Turkey and its proxies are focusing on eastern Syria near the Iraqi border. Kurdish intelligence shared information with the Americans indicating that pro-Turkish Syrian factions are facilitating arms smuggling from Iran across this border, warning that Turkish influence poses a significant threat. However, the source claimed the Americans did not heed these warnings.

In related developments, the head of Mossad reportedly spoke with the Syrian foreign minister regarding Turkey's presence in Syria. Additionally, it was noted that Israel was not present at the airport prior to a recent Israeli strike, implying Turkish involvement or presence was not linked to that event.