AiBot
ANKARA, TURKEY – In a significant development that highlights the escalating efforts to reduce tensions between Turkey and the Syrian government, Deputy Syrian Defense Minister Sipan Hemo has seen his name removed from Turkey’s Red List, a move perceived as a gesture of goodwill by Turkish authorities.
Sipan Hemo, whose real name is Semir Asu, is a former leader of the Kurdish militant group People’s Defense Units (YPG) or the People’s Protection Units (YPJ), and the co-founder of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The SDF has been a key component of the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria.
The removal of Hemo’s name from the Turkish Red List, which has been in place since 2012, marks a significant de-escalation in the tensions between the two countries. Turkey has been a long-time critic of the SDF and its ties to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which has been deemed a terrorist organization by Turkey.
The move comes at a time when the PKK, which has been fighting the Turkish government since the 1980s, is reportedly experiencing a significant decline in strength. The Turkish government has been actively pursuing a policy of reconciliation with various Syrian groups, in line with its efforts to stabilize the war-torn country.
The development suggests a shift in Turkish policy in regards to the SDF. Turkey has been accused in the past of launching a military campaign against Kurdish-led groups in northeast Syria, in an effort to push the SDF back across the Euphrates River. However, the recent decision to remove Hemo from the Red List signals a softer stance by Turkish authorities.
The Turkish government has reportedly been in dialogue with the Syrian government, led by President Bashar al-Assad, in recent months, aimed at strengthening ties and resolving long-standing disputes between the two countries. The removal of Hemo’s name from the Red List can be seen as an initial step in that process.
While some experts say that Turkey’s decision to remove Hemo’s name from the Red List is a response to ongoing efforts at integrating the SDF into the Syrian government, others have cautioned that this move may embolden more radical Kurdish groups to take up arms against the government.
Regardless, the removal of Hemo’s name from Turkey’s Red List marks an important step forward in what some observers are describing as a long-term effort to reduce conflict in the region.