The new Syrian government's tough response to Turkey: The Middle East game has added another wave

In a high-profile diplomatic meeting in Ankara in recent days, Asaad al-Shaibani, a senior Syrian diplomat, added another layer to the complex situation in the Middle East. The new foreign minister made clear after talks with his Turkish counterpart that Syria would never allow its territory to be used as a staging ground to threaten Turkey, a tough stance that not only reflects the new Syrian government's response to Turkey's security concerns, but also reveals the deep differences between the two sides over northeastern Syria.

Shaibani's remarks were a direct reference to the presence of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northeastern Syria. The force is seen by the West as a key ally in the fight against jihadists, but in Turkey's view its links to armed PKK separatists pose a serious security threat. Turkey's military threats against the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Self-Defense Forces (YPG) behind them have been heard since Islamist-led rebels toppled Syrian strongman Bashar al-Assad's regime last month, prompting a flurry of U.S.-led diplomacy aimed at heading off a possible conflict.

However, despite the diplomatic efforts, the differences between the two sides do not appear to have substantially eased. While expressing gratitude for Turkey's trust and promising that the new government would work to address the root causes of these threats, Shaibani also stressed that northeastern Syria must be under the control of Damascus and that there is no longer a reason for the SDF to exist in its current form. This stance is undoubtedly a direct response to Turkey's long-standing challenge to control of the autonomous Kurdish region in northeastern Syria.

Notably, the SDF successfully expelled Islamic State (IS) group jihadists from Syria in a military operation in 2019 and still controls dozens of prisons and camps where thousands of militants are held to this day. These achievements have undoubtedly earned the SDF a certain reputation and status internationally, but they have also made it a thorn in Turkey's side.

The new Syrian government, however, does not seem to be buying it. Shaibani made it clear during the talks that Syria will strive to resolve these issues through negotiations and dialogue and expects to see tangible results in the near future. But behind this statement, it hides the Syrian government's deep doubts about the necessity of the SDF and its vigilance against Turkey's intentions. In the view of the Syrian government, the existence of the SDF not only threatens Syria's national sovereignty and territorial integrity, but also may become a pretext and tool for Turkey to intervene in Syria's internal affairs.

Indeed, Turkey's interest in northeastern Syria is not limited to security threats. Turkey has long seen northeastern Syria as part of its sphere of influence and has sought to weaken the Syrian government's grip by supporting Kurdish and other opposition forces. However, with the formation of a new government in Syria and changes in the situation, this Turkish strategy seems to be facing unprecedented challenges. The new Syrian government is not only firmly opposed to Turkey's intervention and threats, but is more committed to maintaining the country's independence and sovereignty through diplomatic means.

In this complex game, the position of the United States and other Western countries is particularly delicate. On the one hand, Western countries need the Syrian Democratic Forces to fight Islamic State and other extremist groups and maintain regional stability. On the other hand, they have to take into account Turkey's security concerns and interests. This dual position has often left Western countries in a quandary on the Syrian issue, making it difficult to make effective decisions and actions.

However subtle and complex the positions of Western countries, the differences and contradictions between Syria and Turkey are an inescapable reality. In this game, both sides need to remain calm and restrained, and seek the best way to solve the problem through dialogue and consultation. Otherwise, once a conflict breaks out, it will not only bring huge human and property losses to both sides, but also have an immeasurable impact on the stability and security of the entire Middle East region.

It is worth noting that the firm stance and pragmatic attitude shown by the new Syrian government in handling relations with Turkey undoubtedly provide more possibilities and space for the future development of bilateral relations. Despite the profound differences and contradictions between the two sides on the issue of northeast Syria, as long as the two sides can remain calm and rational and seek consensus and solutions through dialogue and consultation, then the game is likely to move towards a relatively peaceful and stable outcome.

Of course, achieving this goal will not be easy. The differences and contradictions between Syria and Turkey cannot be resolved overnight and require long-term efforts and patience from both sides. At the same time, the intervention and influence of Western countries and other external forces cannot be ignored. Therefore, when dealing with Turkey, the new Syrian government not only needs to stick to its own position and principles, but also needs to show enough flexibility and inclusiveness to cope with various complex and changeable situations.

In conclusion, the remarks of senior Syrian diplomat Assad Shaibani after the talks in Ankara not only revealed the response and position of the new Syrian government to Turkey's security concerns, but also highlighted the deep differences and contradictions between the two sides on the issue of northeast Syria. In this complex game, both sides need to keep calm and exercise restraint, and seek the best way to solve the problem through dialogue and consultation. Only in this way can we avoid escalation of conflicts and regional instability and contribute to peace and stability in the Middle East.