Turkey Warns SDF Patience Running Out, Urges Peaceful Talks

Turkey on Thursday renewed its call for a negotiated settlement with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), urging the group to move forward with an integration agreement with the Syrian state and cautioning that prolonged delays are testing regional stability.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Ankara continues to favour dialogue and negotiations over renewed military operations in northern Syria but signalled that progress has been insufficient since a March 10 agreement was announced. Speaking to broadcaster TRT World, Fidan said Turkey does not seek escalation but expects concrete steps from the SDF.

The agreement outlines the integration of SDF military units and civil administrations into Syrian state institutions, a move seen as critical to stabilising areas of northeastern Syria after years of conflict. Despite the announcement, implementation has stalled, with unresolved issues around command structures, local governance and security guarantees.

• Turkey warns SDF patience is running out, urges swift progress on integration talks
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Kurdish officials have previously expressed concern about losing autonomy and safeguards for their communities, particularly in territories they have controlled and defended since the fight against Islamic State (ISIS). The SDF remains a key U.S. ally in counter-ISIS operations, adding a layer of complexity to negotiations involving Damascus and Ankara.

Turkey considers the SDF’s main component, the People’s Protection Units (YPG), an extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). Ankara has carried out multiple cross-border operations in Syria over the past decade to push Kurdish forces away from its border.

Fidan said the integration deal must be implemented “without delay and without reinterpretation,” indicating that Ankara expects full adherence to the agreed terms. While he stopped short of outlining specific consequences, his comments suggested that Turkey’s current restraint may not be indefinite.

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International actors, including the United States, have encouraged all sides to keep talks on track to avoid renewed conflict. With timelines linked to the agreement approaching, diplomatic pressure is expected to intensify as demands grow for measurable progress on the ground.