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Defense Minister Yasar Guler said the YPG-SDF must comply “unconditionally and fully” with the provisions of the March 10 and Jan. 18 agreements, stressing that Syria’s sovereignty and a single-army structure are essential for Türkiye’s lasting border security.
Guler made the remarks during inspections and briefings at the 11th Border Brigade Command in Kilis, according to a statement shared by the Defense Ministry.
Guler said the global security environment has become increasingly complex, with critical developments unfolding in Türkiye’s southern region, adding that safeguarding the country’s borders and public security remains a top priority.
He said border units represent a holistic security approach and praised the 11th Border Brigade for protecting the Kilis and Gaziantep frontiers and preventing illegal crossings and terrorist infiltration.
Recalling the period when state authority collapsed in Syria and armed groups gained ground near the border, Guler said border posts and residential areas, including in Kilis, were targeted by rocket and mortar attacks.
He said Turkish forces carried out cross-border operations that established secure zones and ensured border security from forward positions, restoring stability to border provinces.
Guler said the mobility of terrorist groups has been significantly curtailed and that Türkiye launched the “Terror-Free Türkiye” process under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s leadership to fully eliminate terrorism and strengthen national unity.
He said despite repeated calls for armed groups to lay down their weapons, no binding steps were taken toward integration, prompting Syrian forces to conduct operations that cleared large areas and forced the groups to seek a cease-fire and accept integration.
“At this point, the YPG-SDF must comply unconditionally and fully with the March 10 and Jan. 18 agreements,” Guler said, welcoming the start of integration-related steps.
He said the process should strengthen Syria’s political unity and be based on the principles of a single state and a single army, adding that Türkiye will continue close coordination with the Syrian administration.
Guler said establishing Syria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and a unified security structure is indispensable for the permanent security of Türkiye’s borders.
Guler said Turkish troops play a deterrent role along the border and will continue to monitor developments closely while supporting the Syrian administration.
He said Türkiye has become an indispensable actor at negotiation tables and within the international security architecture through its solution-oriented initiatives.
Guler said Turkish personnel serve across a wide geography, from Kosovo to Qatar, Somalia to Azerbaijan, Libya to Northern Cyprus, representing the country effectively.
“The Turkish soldier is a source of hope and trust wherever deployed,” he said, adding that Türkiye is working to help secure a lasting cease-fire in Gaza, establish security and support reconstruction.
He said Türkiye, as a signatory to the Gaza Declaration, has taken an active role in cease-fire and peace efforts, noting that Türkiye is a founding member of the Peace Council formed as part of the second phase of the cease-fire process and that the foreign minister was elected to its executive board.
Guler said Türkiye is experiencing one of the most comprehensive and intensive operational periods in its history, adding that the dedication of military personnel helps secure the country’s future.
He warned that there is no room for complacency given the region’s strategic importance and urged troops to continue their duties with discipline and patience.
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