Trump: 'Unfriendly Takeover' in Syria After Assad's Collapse
US President-elect Donald Trump on Monday accused Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of leading an "unfriendly takeover" of Syria, following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s government earlier this month. Speaking at a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, Trump described Erdogan as "very smart and very tough," while also labeling Assad a "butcher" for his atrocities.
Turkey’s Role in Syria’s Shift
Trump claimed that the recent rebel offensive, spearheaded by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), was orchestrated by Turkey. "One side has been essentially wiped out, and the other side is Turkey," he said. Trump added that Erdogan had been aiming for control in Syria "for thousands of years" and credited him with achieving it with minimal bloodshed.
The President-elect also noted Turkey's growing military strength, calling it a "major force" that had not been worn down by prolonged conflict.
Strained US-Turkey Relations Over Syria
Despite both being NATO allies, the US and Turkey have clashed over their involvement in Syria's civil war. Trump reiterated his long-standing opposition to a significant US military presence in Syria. During his first term, he ordered the withdrawal of 2,000-2,500 US troops, leaving only 900 personnel. Trump claimed the reduced US presence was no longer a concern, as "the other side had been decimated."
The remaining US troops primarily supported the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish-led coalition that played a key role in fighting the Islamic State (IS). However, Turkey views the SDF as linked to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a group considered a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US, and the EU.
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Turkey’s Military Operations and the SDF’s Struggles
Turkey launched its first invasion of Syria in 2016 to prevent Kurdish forces from forming an autonomous region along its border. Two subsequent offensives in 2018 and 2019 further weakened the SDF. In the recent rebel offensive led by HTS, the SDF received minimal US support and lost key territories to Turkey-backed forces.
Trump Defends US Policy on Syria
Trump defended his response to Syria’s use of chemical weapons, highlighting his decision to launch missile strikes, which he argued upheld the US "red line." He criticized former President Barack Obama for failing to enforce the same policy.
Looking Ahead
With Erdogan consolidating Turkey’s influence in Syria and the SDF sidelined, the geopolitical landscape in the region has shifted dramatically. As Trump prepares to take office, the US-Turkey relationship and the future of its military strategy in Syria remain pressing questions for his administration.
Trump, Erdogan, Syria, Assad collapse, Turkey in Syria, US-Turkey relations, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, SDF, PKK, NATO allies, Syria civil war.