Tell Abyad

Turkey and Syrian Kurds have been at odds since the Kurds in northern Syria consolidated their power during the war in Syria. The relations worsened further upon the recent victories of the Syrian Kurds against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Yet despite the two group?s reciprocal dislike, rapprochement looms on the horizon.

?What do you expect? Do you want us to sit idle when a terrorist organization like the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant [ISIL] takes control of the most vital region in our border?? roared a high level Turkish official last week, when asked by a group of Turkish journalists about possible military intervention scenarios into Syria that have been circulating since the last week of June.

?We are exchanging messages with the PYD [Democratic Union Party]. Our dialogue channels are open. The course of Turkey?s relations with the PYD depends on their attitude. Tal Abyad is a test case for them.?

These words came out of the mouth of a high level official in Ankara amidst allegations that Turkey is about to intervene in northern Syria, which is dominated by the PYD.

Syria?s main Kurdish party warned Turkey July 1 that any military intervention would threaten international peace and said the country?s main Kurdish militia is ready to face any ?aggression.?

Meanwhile, a Syrian rebel group released a video showing 18 Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants being shot in the backs of their heads.

A Syrian Kurdish militia said on July 1 it had recovered full control of the border town of Tel Abyad after the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) fighters raided its outskirts the day before in preparation for a larger assault. 

Turkey's top security board has expressed concern over "demographic changes" in northern Syria to the advantage of Syrian Kurds and "terror acts" committed by jihadists against civilians, while avoiding to give a clear sign of a military intervention into its southern neighbor.
 

As it is unclear when Turkey will manage to end its political uncertainty through the formation of a coalition government, we face a new crisis of foreign policy concerning Syria. President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an and the Justice and Development Party (AKP) has been outraged by the advance of Kurdish forces in northern Syria, regarding the recent developments as a plot by the Kurds and the United

At least 120 civilians have been killed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group since it entered the Syrian Kurdish town of Kobane just over 24 hours ago, a monitoring group said June 26.

The People?s Protection Units (YPG), the military wing of Syria?s Democratic Union Party (PYD), have no intention of creating a ?Kurdish corridor? that would supposedly lay the ground for the foundation of an independent Kurdish state, PYD leader Salih Muslim has stated.

Hundreds of Syrian refugees have been living outdoors in Turkey?s southern resort town of Bodrum, while locals have expressed both their sympathy and their concerns, fearing the situation could negatively impact tourism.