Minister Fidan stated, "There is something that the global public is not very aware of."

30.01.2026 08:10

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that the agreement reached between the terrorist organization YPG/SDG and the Damascus government is very meaningful and important. Minister Fidan pointed out that the PKK terrorist organization has mobilized hundreds of people in the past and assigned them to the SDG in Syria, sharing a detail that caught attention with the words, "There is something that the world public is not very aware of."

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan made statements regarding the agenda in an interview broadcasted on Qatar's Al Jazeera channel, where he answered questions from Resul Serdar Ataş.

Fidan expressed that he believes the agreement reached between the terrorist organization YPG/SDF and the Damascus government is very meaningful and important, stating: "As a principle, as Turkey, we support any agreement reached by the parties, whoever they may be. Because as long as they reach an agreement on certain principles, I think it is worth supporting from our perspective. However, we have our own concerns regarding Turkey's national security interests, our own red lines. Still, when the Damascus government makes an agreement with the SDF, these are generally taken into account. However, if we return to the current situation, as you mentioned, the ceasefire continues, which allows American forces to transfer ISIS detainees from Syria to Iraq. I think this is an important development. I believe everyone should help with this. As Turkey, we are trying to do our best to facilitate this together with the Americans."

"SDF IS AN EXTENSION OF PKK IN SYRIA"

In response to a question about whether Turkey would accept "any police structure led by the Kurds," Fidan replied, "The SDF is essentially an extension of the PKK in Syria, and the PKK has four branches in four countries: Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Turkey. So, they have targets for all four countries. We truly value the Syrian Kurds. They should be treated quite fairly."

"THEIR ONLY AIM IS TO HARM TURKEY'S NATIONAL SECURITY INTERESTS"

Fidan noted that the PKK terrorist organization has mobilized hundreds of people in the past and assigned them to the SDF in Syria, continuing: "They are not Syrians, and they are currently in Syria. Their only aim is to harm Turkey's national security interests. And we really want this to be eliminated. This is the first point. Secondly, there is something that the world public is not very aware of, which is that not only Kurdish PKK elements from other countries but also Turkish leftist elements in areas controlled by the SDF in Syria have been given a refuge and place where they can operate against Turkey. There are about 300 armed individuals there. They are members of Turkish leftist organizations, and their only task is to look for opportunities to attack Turkish military and security forces. We know all of them, and they know this too. We want this to be eliminated as well."

Fidan pointed out that the remaining issues should be addressed within the framework of sovereign and unitary state principles, stating, "I think you wouldn't want the existence of two armies in a sovereign and unitary state. Of course, there should be a single army, a single army commanded by a single authority. Police forces and other matters can be arranged between Damascus and the SDF. We do not want to deal with such micro-management. We are quite aware of our own sensitivities, and I think what we are asking from the SDF and other parties is quite feasible."

"TRUMP MADE A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE"

Fidan stated that he believes what U.S. President Donald Trump has been trying to achieve as a foreign policy goal has made a significant difference, noting: "Firstly, what he is trying to do regarding achieving a ceasefire in Gaza is something we also support. We are cooperating. What he is trying to do in Ukraine is to stop a war between Russia and Ukraine, and thus between Europe and Russia. This is something we truly value. As for Syria, I think our perspectives largely overlap. The Trump administration wants the new Syrian government to solve its own problems and to be a responsible member of the international community."

Fidan emphasized that he believes the Damascus government has responded quite well to the demands of the international and regional community, stating, "Regional countries and the international community are cooperating to help Syria heal its own wounds. As you know, for the past 14 years, the whole world and the region have been facing two issues, one of which is mass migration. Millions of refugees are leaving Syria. The other is terrorist organizations." Reminding of Syrian President Ahmed Shara's visit to Washington, Fidan said, "He signed the Agreement that enabled him to be part of the International Coalition against ISIS. I think this is very meaningful in terms of the new government's institutional membership in the Coalition against ISIS. This is important. I think they are providing many collaborators and positive responses. However, when it comes to issues related to the SDF, there are sometimes disagreements between the Americans and Damascus. And I think we, the Americans and the Syrians, are having comprehensive discussions to resolve this issue smoothly."

Fidan noted that the Gaza Peace Plan was initially proposed to solve the Gaza issue and that the Peace Council is now an extension of the entire process, stating: "When the UN General Assembly meeting was initiated on September 25 last year in New York, the leaders of 8 Muslim countries came together with President Trump to seek a way to resolve the genocide in Gaza. I think that was the real starting point and where the 20-item Gaza Peace Plan was born. Since that day, a continuous process has been ongoing, such as exchanging views, establishing institutions, and reaching agreements. Now, we have completed the first phase of the ceasefire, and we believe that the Peace Council is a platform where we can truly advance the Gaza agenda."

"HAMAS HAS NEVER BEEN A DETERRENT FACTOR FOR ISRAEL"

Fidan emphasized that, from a military perspective, Hamas has never been a deterrent factor for Israel, stating, "Because there is no balance between the military power of Israel, supported by the American army, and the military power of Hamas. Even though Hamas resists the occupation, it is not deterrent. At best, it can be a disturbing factor for Israel, but it cannot be a deterrent factor. Hamas security forces were good enough to manage all of Gaza and provide local security and policing services. However, when it comes to deterring Israel, Israel has always been in a position to conduct military operations whenever it wants, and it still is."

Referring to the International Stability Force, Fidan said, "This is an important issue. If this can be implemented, I think it would be beneficial for both Israelis and Palestinians in terms of not being subjected to attacks from the other side and the risk of violating security agreements. This will be a new chapter in the Palestinian issue." Fidan noted that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu objected to Turkey's participation in the Peace Council, stating, "We were invited and we participated, our step was included in the Gaza Executive Council, and we are still there. We are core members of the mediation group along with Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S. Therefore, our current position is to provide any possible humanitarian, military, or political contribution to the ongoing peace process in Gaza.

Pointing to the recent period of relations between Turkey and Israel, Fidan said, "We clearly expressed this when we cut trade with Israel; as long as the war continues and humanitarian aid is not allowed into Gaza, no, we will not restart our trade. This tells something. Our problem is not with Israel, but with Israel's policies in the region, especially the policies towards Palestinians and the recent genocide happening in Gaza." he said.

Fidan noted that the "break" between Turkey and Israel is conditional. Minister Fidan stated that Israel's primary target in a possible Iranian attack would be to destroy some critical capabilities of the Iranian army. In response to the question of whether Israel wants regime change in Iran, Fidan said, "Yes, they would like to do that, but I don't know if they can. Because it is in the hands of the people, not in the hands of external military intervention. The Iranian people always unite around their leaders during war and external attacks, especially during attacks from Israel."