(MENAFN) Recently, Turkey-backed militias, led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, have expanded their operations in Syria, moving into the Hama region after taking control of much of Aleppo. These forces are now engaging in clashes with Kurdish fighters, with Turkey’s goal appearing to be the creation of a buffer zone along the Turkish-Syrian border. This plan fits into Turkey's broader objective of establishing a 25-30 km "security belt" to curb Kurdish influence. Although Turkey claims not to be directly involved, its support for the militias is clear, as it has been funding and guiding them for over a year.

Turkey’s role in Syria has become more evident as President Erdogan shifted his attention to military and political affairs after his attempts at diplomacy with President Bashar al-Assad were rejected. Assad has demanded the withdrawal of Turkish forces as a precondition for resuming diplomatic relations, a demand Erdogan has refused. Turkish forces, backed by militias, have taken control of Kurdish-held villages, displacing thousands of people, many of whom have moved to Aleppo and Idlib.

However, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), made up of Kurdish and Arab fighters, continue to hold key areas along the border, blocking Turkey’s goal of territorial continuity. These forces, originally backed by the U.S. to fight ISIS, have become a point of contention between Ankara and Washington.

In 2019, Erdogan proposed to President Trump that the U.S. withdraw from Syria, allowing Turkey to take over the fight against ISIS. While Trump initially supported the idea, it was abandoned after facing international backlash. Relations between Turkey and the U.S. deteriorated further under President Biden, especially after Biden’s strong support for the Kurds and his refusal to meet with Erdogan.

Erdogan now seems to see a potential shift in U.S. policy following a possible Trump victory, hoping that a change in administration could allow Turkey to secure control over Syria's border regions and weaken Kurdish autonomy. This strategy may also require reconciliation with the Syrian government to regain control over Kurdish areas and address the 3.5 million Syrian refugees currently in Turkey. 

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