Introduction

Turkey’s involvement in the Syrian conflict has been driven by several key strategic objectives:

Security Concerns

Eliminating the YPG threat

Turkey views the Kurdish YPG forces along its border as a significant security threat due to their ties with the PKK.

Preventing terrorist attacks

By establishing a “security corridor” along the border, Turkey aims to reduce the risk of attacks on its territory.

Domestic Politics

Refugee management

Turkey hosts over 3.6 million Syrian refugees. Military operations in Syria provide an opportunity to create areas for refugee resettlement, addressing domestic anti-refugee sentiment. Most importantly Erdogan wants to send 3.6 million Syrian refugees back for which he took €10 billion from EU.

Rallying nationalist support

Syria operations have helped President Erdogan consolidate power by appealing to nationalist sentiments, especially around election times.

Regional Influence

Establishing client states

Turkey has created de facto client states in areas under its control, strengthening its role in any future Syrian peace deal.

Shaping post-war Syria

By maintaining a presence in Syria, Turkey aims to influence the country’s future political landscape.

There is also a strong possibility Turkey wants regime change to Sunni majority. If that happens Shia, Iran, influence will be over. This is quite evident but he does not want a figure pointed at him breaking the regime.

But Turkey was aware of the attack by supporting HTS.

Also Kurds want their own autonomy They neither want to go under Syria or Turkey regime. But Erdogan is showing that all these groups sit down and talk.

We all know no one will. And most importantly Bashar Al-Assad does not Amat to loose power

Strategic Realignment

Leverage with the West: Turkey’s actions in Syria have become a bargaining chip in its relations with the US and NATO allies.

Closer ties with Russia

Turkey’s involvement has led to a strategic realignment with Russia, despite supporting opposing sides in the conflict.

Conclusion

By pursuing these objectives, Turkey aims to address its security concerns, manage domestic political pressures, and enhance its regional influence, albeit at the cost of strained relations with some of its traditional allies.