Turkey will do "whatever it takes" to ensure its security if the new Syrian administration cannot address Ankara's concerns about U.S.-allied Kurdish groups it views as terrorist groups, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Saturday.

Turkey said Syria’s new rebel government agrees with Ankara on the need to dismantle Kurdish military forces — a critical US ally in the northern region of Syria — as countries rush to shape the future of the region after the downfall of the Assad regime.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Friday warned Turkey against military escalation in areas controlled by Kurdish militia in north-eastern Syria. "The security of Kurds in particular is essential for a free and secure future for Syria,

The commander of Syrian Kurdish-led forces in Syria said in an interview on December 19 that Kurdish fighters who came to the country from around the Middle East to fight for his militia will leave if Turkey agrees a total ceasefire on clashes taking place in northern Syria.