Part 6/7:
Turkey's position in this shifting landscape adds another layer of complexity. President Erdogan emphasized the desire for ongoing advances in Syria while navigating the precarious balance of power among varying factions, including the HTS and Kurdish forces. While Turkey has benefitted from weakening the Assad regime, it remains wary of HTS's rising power and its implications for Kurdish influence in northern Syria.
Erdogan's government is attempting a win-win strategy: leveraging HTS's advancements to hinder Kurdish strength in the region while retaining the capacity to counterbalance any newfound authority HTS might claim.