The German Foreign Ministry calls for the disarmament of armed Kurdish groups in Syria and their inclusion in the security forces of the new government in the country.

New Western approaches towards the Kurds

American and German statements indicate a change in Western approaches towards the Kurds, and this change is linked to the influence that Turkey has in Syria after its Islamist allies took control of Damascus.

US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf told reporters on the sidelines of an official US delegation's visit to Damascus, "Turkey has great influence in Syria and has national security interests and many other interests," noting that the circumstances that prompted the Kurds in northeastern Syria to organize and defend themselves have changed significantly.

Although the US official's statement was general and did not include any details regarding a change in Washington's position towards its Kurdish allies, it suggests a change aimed at appeasing Ankara, in light of Kurdish fears that Leaf's statements could pave the way for a change in US policy.

Barbara Leaf: The conditions that prompted the Kurds in northeastern Syria to organize and defend themselves have changed dramatically

It is not known whether Leaf’s words are related to the Joe Biden administration, which is preparing to leave its place in a few weeks to President-elect Donald Trump, or whether he expresses an official position, especially since Trump himself supports the complete US withdrawal from Syria.

In a more explicit position, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Friday, after talks between her and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Ankara, “The armed Kurdish groups in Syria must be disarmed and integrated into the security forces of the new government in the country.”

Baerbock added at a press conference that “the security of the Kurds is essential for a free Syria, but Turkish security concerns must also be addressed to ensure stability.”

Turkey says the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in Syria, which has been fighting alongside U.S. forces for years, is an extension of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has been fighting Turkey, and It’s considered a terrorist organization by Ankara, Washington and the European Union. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan predicted on Friday that foreign countries would withdraw their support for Kurdish fighters in Syria, saying "there is no longer any reason for foreign powers to support the YPG fighters."

^{_{Source: Al Arab Newspaper}}