27.01.2025 07:10
Foreign Minister Fidan stated that armed groups in Syria should be gathered under a single army structure and that there should be a single legitimate state authority with the right to carry arms. Fidan emphasized that there are more than 80,000 armed elements close to Turkey, saying, "We told them without hesitation to go and join the national army, to be a part of the national army, and not to allow any disorder to occur."
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced that Turkey has called on armed groups in Syria to join the national army.
In an assessment to Saudi Arabia-based Asharq News television regarding current regional and global developments, Fidan stated that the excessive intervention of foreign powers in the region, the defense of the interests of certain states rather than their own, and serving other countries have led to results similar to those in Syria.
Fidan pointed out that the new administration in Syria is seeking coordination not only with Turkey but with all countries, expressing that Turkey is focusing on what can be done for the reconstruction of Syria in cooperation with the Arab League, Gulf countries, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the European Union (EU), the USA, and other regional and global organizations.
"THE USA HAS LIFTED SOME SANCTIONS ON SYRIA"
Fidan noted that the USA has lifted some sanctions on Syria and expressed hope that the EU would also lift some in the coming days, adding that Turkey has established an internal coordination mechanism on how to start immediate assistance in areas such as transportation, energy, and health.
Pointing out that there is a 911-kilometer border between Syria and Turkey, Fidan stated, "The Syrians are our brothers. The stability of that place (Syria), its economic development, and its order are vitally important for us as well. I hope that the efforts of both Turkey and our international partners will bear fruit."
TURKEY'S EXPECTATIONS FROM SYRIA
Regarding expectations from the new administration in Syria, Fidan stated: "The new administration in Syria should no longer pose a threat to the region, and there should be no room for terrorism, especially for ISIS and PKK. Good treatment of minorities in the country, the establishment of an inclusive government, and the full preservation of the country's territorial integrity and political sovereignty. We, as the international community and regional countries, have agreed on these conditions and conveyed our demands to the Syrian administration. Currently, wherever we go, we are discussing the same things. Our expectation from Syria is this. Essentially, we expected this from the previous regime as well."
Fidan conveyed that no country, including Turkey, has specifically communicated demands to the new administration, expressing that they expect a governance and behavior that will ensure the well-being of the Syrian people and contribute to the stability and security of regional countries.
"THERE IS NO DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN SAUDI ARABIA AND TURKEY ON SYRIA"
Fidan stated that they have elevated the coordination between Saudi Arabia and Turkey regarding Syria to the highest level through meetings held in Aqaba, Cairo, and Riyadh, saying, "There is no difference or disagreement between Saudi Arabia and Turkey regarding the expectations from the new administration in Syria, the issues, and what needs to be done."
Fidan noted that they have worked well with Saudi Arabia so far and will continue to do so, adding that Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan has played an extraordinary role, and he congratulated him for that.
Fidan emphasized the close relationship between Saudi Arabia and Turkey, stating that it is essential to further advance the relations between the two countries with the dedicated and self-sacrificing friends they have worked with in Saudi Arabia for years and to evaluate regional and global developments.
Fidan pointed out that Saudi Arabia and Turkey are historically brother countries, expressing that they are in search of how to advance this in modern times, how to benefit more from it, and how to contribute more to the security and prosperity of both countries.
Fidan highlighted the extraordinary coordination and unity between Saudi Arabia and Turkey during the Gaza crisis, thanking them for that.
"ONE OF THE CONTENTIOUS ISSUES WITH THE USA IS AMERICAN POLICY IN SYRIA"
Regarding the start of President Donald Trump's term, Fidan stated that they will continue to work closely with the Trump administration at the highest level in the new period, saying, "We have long-standing relations with the American administration, but we do not think the same on every issue. There are issues where we differ, especially on regional matters. However, there is a way of acting that mature, adult states should follow. That is to put contentious issues in parentheses and continue with the good ones. We also have contentious issues with America. At the forefront of these is American policy in Syria."
"THE USA HAS CHANGED ITS CONCEPT"
Fidan recalled that this Syria policy began during the term of former US President Barack Obama, stating: "While America, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey were supporting the Syrian opposition from the very beginning, later America said it would not support the opposition, and that its job would be to fight ISIS, thus changing the concept. At that time, of course, it triggered a ton of geopolitical crises unknowingly. It did this in such a way that it took another terrorist organization. It used the PKK/YPG to fight ISIS and to keep ISIS prisoners in jail. We said to America that this is wrong, we can do this differently. This poses a tremendous threat to Turkey's national security, and you know this."
Fidan stated that the terrorist organization PKK is recognized as a terrorist organization by the USA, and that a reward of 5 million dollars has been placed on the heads of PKK leaders for many years, saying, "With such a reality, it is not a good sign that you are doing such a thing with the PKK's extension in Syria." Obama had said this was temporary. Then Trump came. Trump wanted to remove this very sincerely several times, but some elements in the American administration at that time resisted this."
Fidan noted that Trump appointed new personnel who would implement his will and instructions precisely in the new period because he saw that he was "delayed" by the US system on many issues, expressing hope that they would reach a high level of consensus on Syria, counter-terrorism, and the security of regional countries in the new period and that they would work for this.
"ARMED GROUPS IN SYRIA SHOULD BE UNITED UNDER A SINGLE ARMY"
Fidan pointed out that one of the most important files before the new administration in Syria is the ability of all parties to agree, stating, "The armed groups in the country should now be united under a single army, and only a single legitimate state body should be authorized to carry weapons and use force."
This is what should be in all modern states. The existence of multiple armed groups, armed elements, indicates that there are different authorities, which means a ground for civil war; this is not an acceptable issue," he said.
Fidan emphasized the importance of these groups coming together under a national army in the new period, stating that Turkey is utilizing its highest level of constructive influence.
TURKEY CALLS ON ARMED GROUPS TO "JOIN THE NATIONAL ARMY"
Pointing out that the northern groups have the highest number, Fidan said, "There are groups close to Turkey with more than 80,000 armed elements. We told them without hesitation to go and join the national army, to be a part of the national army, and not to allow disorder in the country. I hope the same happens with the groups in the south, in Suwayda and Daraa."
Regarding Israel's policies and activities towards Syria, Fidan stated, "There is a contradiction between the justifications of Israel's policy in Syria while there are Iranians and Iranian militias and the justifications of the current policy. The previous policy had a basis, it was explaining this, but now that basis is gone. In a period where this is not present, and the new administration says 'we will not be a threat to anyone,' the initiation of a ground invasion by Israel in Syria, its advancement to certain points, bringing military elements there, and establishing bases there is certainly considered a provocation."
Fidan pointed out that Israel's approach is dangerous both militarily and politically, emphasizing that countries in the region, especially Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, and Iraq, oppose this and will continue to do so.
"ALL ETHNIC GROUPS IN SYRIA SHOULD HAVE EQUAL CITIZENSHIP"
Fidan explained that the new administration in Syria has called on the PKK/YPG to lay down their arms, just as it has done with other armed groups, stating, "Our expectation here is that all ethnic groups; Kurds, Turks, Yazidis, Christians, Arabs, Sunnis, Shiites, Alevis, Nusayris should take their place in Syrian society as equal citizens while living their cultures. We want a system that will make this possible. Now this new administration also wants to do this. It is not acceptable for the YPG to say that it will not give up its weapons while this is happening. This is currently a problem for Syria itself."
Fidan noted that the international community has brought the leader of the terrorist organization PKK/YPG, Mazlum Abdi (code name Ferhat Abdi Şahin), to the forefront, stating, "This man is actually the head of a sub-organization of the PKK. There are PKK leaders above him in Syria. Sabri Ok is there, Fehman Hüseyin is there. One looks at political issues, the other looks at military issues, they are PKK leaders. It is not possible for Ferhat Abdi Şahin to make any decision or take any step without their permission. Therefore, it is unacceptable for a terrorist organization to operate in this way in the new period in Syria."
"WE ARE READY TO PROVIDE SUPPORT AS TURKEY"
Fidan drew attention to the fact that this terrorist organization has been "employed by the US to act as guards for ISIS prisoners," and stated: "Now we need an equation that will ensure the ISIS prisoners remain in prisons, that will ensure the YPG gives up its terrorist activities, and that will protect the rights of the Kurds. We know this equation. What is this equation? First, the YPG will lay down its arms, the new administration in Damascus will immediately take over the management of the prisons and camps. If necessary, we as Turkey are ready to provide support in this regard, we and other countries, there is no problem. America's priority is already to ensure that ISIS prisoners do not get out. This needs to be ensured. Apart from that, armed groups need to disarm, but the other ethnic groups there also need to be able to use their cultural rights. The formula for this is very simple."
Regarding the likelihood of Syrian refugees in Turkey returning to their country after the fall of the Assad regime, Fidan stated, "Our Syrian brothers are our guests here; fundamentally, we do not tell them to go. This is not in our culture, nor is it in our state policy. But we are working to create an environment that will make it possible for them to return to Syria. The new government in Syria is also working on this, and the international community is also working on this."
"THERE ARE MORE THAN 10 MILLION DISPLACED SYRIANS"
Fidan pointed out that there are more than 10 million displaced Syrians not only in Turkey but in many places, stating that these people need to return to their lands, and thus the Syrian economy, social, and cultural life can be revitalized. He expressed that as conditions in Syria improve over time, he sees that the returns, which are currently starting gradually, will increase in number, noting that there are many signs of this.
"TRUMP CAME TO POWER WITH RADICAL CHANGES"
Regarding the course of relations between the US and Turkey during the Trump era, Fidan stated that Trump came to power with a domestic and foreign policy agenda proposing extremely radical changes, and that the Presidential Decrees he signed on the first day heralded significant changes.
Fidan expressed that this has aspects looking towards the EU, China, Russia, Gulf countries, Africa, North America, and South America, as well as aspects looking towards Turkey and its geography.
He emphasized that Turkey aims to pursue a more harmonious, efficient, and cooperative foreign policy in the new period by also examining other global behavioral styles, noting that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's view is in this direction. Fidan pointed out that President Erdoğan has a close leader relationship with Trump, stating, "Diplomacy from leader to leader is always a more direct path. It also opens up the way for ministers like us who deal with foreign relations and other politicians."