Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has firmly rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent assertion that Turkey “roughly took over” Syria. Fidan emphasized that the real authority in Syria lies with the will of the people, and he highlighted the significance of regional cooperation in resolving the conflict.
Fidan’s Response to Trump’s Remarks
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Fidan addressed Trump’s comments made during a press conference, where the U.S. President praised Turkey’s actions in Syria, claiming that Turkey had “acted wisely” and achieved a “hostile takeover” with minimal casualties. In response, Fidan called Trump’s remarks a “serious mistake,” stating that labeling the situation as a takeover was inaccurate. He reiterated the importance of cooperation over regional dominance in Syria.
Turkey’s Support for the New Syrian Administration
Fidan further stated that Turkey recognizes the legitimacy of Syria’s new administration. As part of this recognition, Turkey has reopened its embassy in Damascus, with instructions for the Turkish ambassador to establish communication with both local and central government officials.
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the West
Fidan emphasized that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and its main component, the Kurdish YPG, pose a significant threat to Turkey. He described the YPG as the Syrian extension of the PKK, continuing to maintain its presence in the region under the guise of fighting ISIS. Fidan also criticized Western countries for overlooking the fact that the YPG is connected to the PKK, calling it a concerning diplomatic blind spot.
New Approach to Kurdish Forces
Fidan underscored that the new Syrian administration must address the issue of Kurdish forces. If this issue is resolved, Turkey’s intervention would no longer be necessary. According to French news agency AFP, the number of Turkish troops patrolling the border has recently increased.
A New Era for HTS
Regarding the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, Fidan argued that it should be removed from the terrorist list. He noted that HTS had distanced itself from both al-Qaeda and ISIS, with its leader, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, adopting a policy of separation from al-Qaeda since 2016.
Recently, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken revealed that the U.S. has been in contact with HTS, discussing Syria’s future. HTS has been listed as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. since 2018. Meanwhile, European countries are developing a new approach toward HTS, acknowledging the group’s distancing from al-Qaeda in a more favorable light. The United Nations, the European Union, and other international bodies have been engaging with the new Syrian administration.
The Importance of Regional Cooperation
Fidan concluded by stressing the destructive consequences of a culture of dominance in the region. He argued that Syria should not be under the control of any one power, whether Turkish, Iranian, or Arab. Instead, he emphasized that cooperation should be the guiding principle, and that solidarity with the Syrian people does not equate to ruling over them.
