Türkiye will not allow Syria to be divided or its territorial integrity undermined, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a speech at the opening of parliament. He linked Ankara’s position to diplomatic efforts involving the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Damascus government, emphasizing that Türkiye’s stance would remain firm if those initiatives collapse.

Erdogan’s Message In Parliament

Erdogan told lawmakers that Türkiye had used “all channels of diplomacy” to preserve Syria’s unity. “If these initiatives are left unanswered, our response is clear. We did not consent to the fragmentation of Syria yesterday, we will not today, and we will not tomorrow,” he said.

The SDF–Damascus Integration Track

The president’s comments directly referenced talks over integrating the Kurdish-led SDF into Syrian state structures. Türkiye, which views the SDF as linked to the PKK, rejects any political arrangement that could grant the group autonomy. Erdogan stressed that Ankara will not tolerate the establishment of what he called a “terrorist entity” along the border.

Regional Stakes And Security Concerns

The issue remains central to Türkiye’s border policy, refugee dynamics, and wider regional security calculations. Erdogan’s warning also comes at a time when shifting alliances in the Middle East—particularly over Gaza and broader Arab diplomacy—are influencing the Syrian file. Analysts say Ankara is signaling that the future of the SDF–Damascus track will determine its next military and political moves.