640 Chapter 5
MID#4190
Dispute Number: 4190
Date(s): June 1996
Participants: 652 Syria/2 United States of America, 640 Turkey
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Tensions across the Syrian-Turkish border increased when Syria learned
that Turkey plotted several attacks in its capital, Ankara. The attacks were aimed at
killing the leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, who had fled to Damascus. Syria
fortified its border in response and massed troops. The United States threatened Syria
that its forces would join Turkey in any conflict.
MID#4315
Dispute Number: 4315
Date(s): May 20, 1997 to May 1997
Participants: 652 Syria/640 Turkey
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Turkey massed troops and invaded portions of Iraq in order to attack
Kurdish fighters. Syria fortified its border in response.
MID#4291
Dispute Number: 4291
Date(s): October 1, 1998 to October 20, 1998
Participants: 640 Turkey/652 Syria
Outcome (and Settlement): Victory for side A (Negotiated)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: On October 1, 1998, Turkey moved 10,000 troops moved to the Syrian
border and threatened invasion if Syrian support for the Kurdistan Workers’ Party
(PKK) did not end. Although Turkey had called for an end to Syrian support for the
PKK for years, this was the gravest threat Turkey had made over the issue. Syria
responded by moving troops and equipment to the border. On October 4, Egyptian
President Hosni Mubarak offered to mediate the dispute, and Iranian Foreign Minister
Kamal Kharrazi also offered on October 8. Both offers were declined. Turkish and
Syrian officials met October 19 near Adana, Turkey. Although Turkey and Syria also
disputed Hatay and water-sharing rights, they agreed to focus on the PKK and signed
minutes whereby Syria agreed to end its support for the PKK.
Coding changes: End Date changed from November 19, 1998.
MID#4520
Dispute Number: 4520
Date(s): March 16, 2004