ANKARA, 11 February, 2021 (TON): The announcement made by the U.S. on fighting the rebel group in Syria rather than guarding the oil fields in the region could force Turkey to give a second thought to its strategy in the country, the analysts believe.

John Kirby said on Tuesday that about 900 U.S. military personnel and contractors had been “disengaged” from Syrian oil fields since last August.

This follows a deal between a U.S. firm, Delta Crescent Energy, and the US-allied Syrian Kurds to develop and export the vast crude oil reserves in northeast Syria.

US forces in the region “are not authorized to provide assistance to any other private company seeking to develop oil resources in Syria,” said Kirby, adding that the responsibility for the protection of civilians justifies the presence of US forces around the oil fields.

With the U.S. policy shift, the question arises whether this transition under the new U.S. administration will push Turkey to redesign its Syria Policy.

Navvar Saban, a military analyst from the Istanbul-based Omran Center for Strategic Studies, believes the US move will have wide-ranging implications.

“The US is now there to secure the area against insurgents by supporting the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). US support is limited to military backup for the SDF,” he told the media.

The Pentagon said that clashes between Turkey and the SDF near Ayn Issa have undermined the force’s fight against the group.

“Coalition forces continued to advise the SDF on its independent operations against Daesh. However, the SDF, which has no air assets, relied on coalition air support, including for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, and partnered with coalition forces during most of its operations,” it said.

According to an analyst, strengthening the SDF will lead to Turkey’s line of control being redrawn, and will eliminate joint patrols between the Russians and Turks in the east.

“There have been a lot of statements from Turkey about their advance into the area because of the terror threat. Now, after the Pentagon statement, it is crystal clear that such an advance will no longer happen,” he said.

However, the country is critical of Washington’s cooperation with the SDF, considered a terror organization. Turkey also fears that further support may encourage the Syrian Kurds to seek greater autonomy and also inspire their supporters in Turkey.