YONI BEN MENACHEM -- As the Trump administration pushes to expand the Abraham Accords to include Syria, Turkey finds itself in a particularly complex position.
On one hand, Ankara publicly supports any initiative promoting stability and reconstruction in Syria. On the other hand, it maintains strict red lines—chief among them: no legitimacy for armed Kurdish groups, especially the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which Turkey views as a branch of the terrorist-designated PKK.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been cautious in his language. When asked about Syria possibly joining the Abraham Accords and opening talks with Israel, he replied diplomatically: “Turkey supports anything that strengthens peace and ensures a better future for Syria.” But behind this wording lies a clear message—general support for peace, without compromising Turkey’s core interests.
Tensions have risen since a recent agreement between the Syrian interim government and the SDF, which calls for Kurdish fighters to integrate into the Syrian army. For Turkey, this is not just a security threat—it risks granting international legitimacy to a group it sees as terrorist. Erdoğan has already accused the Kurds of violating the agreement and warned that Turkey will respond to any move that crosses its red lines.