Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northeastern Syria to fulfill their commitments and complete their integration with Syrian institutions.

Erdogan said that Turkey’s “patient, wise, and generous” stance toward the SDF should not be mistaken for weakness, according to a Reuters report on Wednesday, October 8.

He added that the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), the largest faction within the SDF, have failed to uphold the March 10 Agreement signed between Syria’s transitional president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, and SDF commander Mazloum Abdi, accusing them of acting under “Israeli instigation.”

“Those who turn toward Ankara and Damascus will prevail,” Erdogan said, emphasizing that “the alliance between Turks, Kurds, and Arabs is the key to lasting peace and security in the region.”
He affirmed that Turkey and Damascus share a commitment to preserving Syria’s territorial integrity, adding that Turkey “will never allow Syria to slip back into instability” and will continue to stand by the Syrian people.

Following the Damascus Meeting

Erdogan’s remarks came a day after a meeting in Damascus on October 7 between transitional president Ahmed al-Sharaa and SDF commander Mazloum Abdi, confirmed by Agence France-Presse (AFP) through a government source.
According to AFP, this was the second meeting between the two leaders since March, attended by U.S. envoy to Syria Tom Barrack and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) commander Brad Cooper.

The Autonomous Administration’s delegation, according to the pro-administration agency Hawar News, included Abdi, Ilham Ahmed, and Rohlat Afrin.
Syrian Defense Minister Marhaf Abu Qasra said on X that he met with Abdi in Damascus, and that both sides agreed to a comprehensive ceasefire across all northern and northeastern fronts, to be implemented immediately.

Files Discussed

The Autonomous Administration announced preliminary outcomes of the meetings, which covered constitutional, security, and humanitarian issues aimed at strengthening stability and building peace in Syria.

In a post on North and East Syria Communications on X on Tuesday evening, October 7, the delegation said both parties discussed amending the Syrian constitution, describing it as “a crucial step, as a constitution must represent all inhabitants and protect every individual.”

The talks also included integrating the SDF and Internal Security Forces into a unified national framework, which the delegation described as “a step toward forming an organized and effective army serving the protection of all Syrians.”

The delegation further called for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire in northeastern Syria and Aleppo, stressing that “all Syrians should live in safety.”
The discussions also covered the return of displaced persons and counter-terrorism efforts, which the delegation considered “key issues for achieving lasting stability and peace in Syria.”

No official agreement has yet been signed between the parties, according to the delegation’s X account.

The delegation expressed gratitude to the French Foreign Ministry, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), and the U.S. Embassy in Turkey for their support and mediation, noting that these parties “played a vital role in bringing viewpoints closer together.”

After Aleppo Clashes

The meeting followed clashes between SDF and Syrian army forces in the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh neighborhoods of Aleppo (northern Syria).
Hostilities have now ceased completely after a ceasefire agreement was reached between both sides.

On October 4, Syria’s Foreign Minister reportedly refused to meet with the SDF delegation, stating there had been “no prior coordination or appointment” for such talks, according to a government source who spoke to Enab Baladi at the time.