10.12.2025 19:25
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan made a striking warning regarding Syria. Minister Fidan stated, "It is not possible for us as Turkey to tolerate Syria becoming a chaotic area again. The events in Iraq and Syria over the last 25-30 years have had an incredibly high cost for Turkey. We have drawn important lessons for our Syria strategy and managing the chaos in Syria from the lessons learned from the events in Iraq."
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated, "It is not possible for us as Turkey to tolerate Syria becoming a chaos zone again."
MINISTER FIDAN'S STATEMENT ON "SYRIA"
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan attended the conference titled 'Syria After One Year: Recovery and Reconstruction' organized by the Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research (SETA). Minister Fidan recalled that they initiated the Astana process with Russia and Iran to prevent the continuation of conflict, destruction, and displacements in Syria, and said: "This process is truly an example to be taken in a diplomatic sense. The fact that the powers acting on behalf of the conflicting parties come together, reach a certain understanding, and turn this into a practice to stop the conflicts is a situation that should be closely examined."
"THE EXTRAORDINARY IMPORTANCE OF ERDOĞAN AND PUTIN'S DIPLOMACY"
We created a situation with the Astana process regarding the establishment of an area where the northern opposition is located and ensuring that this area is not crossed, and that the opposition does not move further south into the de-escalation zone. Here, the extraordinary importance of the leaders' diplomacy conducted by our President and Mr. Putin is evident. At that time, I was at MIT; the meetings held, the decisions made, and their subsequent implementation were extremely important for keeping the parties on a certain line and preventing further conflict.
If we had not managed that process with diplomatic skill, our 5 million Syrian brothers living in the north, in addition to the 3 million Syrians inside, could have been forced to come to Turkey. Because Russian, Iranian militias, and regime forces could have advanced upwards. All the efforts we put forth today, including military, intelligence, diplomatic, and economic solidarity, have actually prevented the already produced problem areas from growing further for us by being carried out in a certain coordination and balance in the Syrian field."
"THEY SHOULD NOT BE A THREAT TO NEIGHBORS AND THE REGION"
Addressing Turkey's expectations from the Damascus administration, Fidan used the following expressions: "First, they should not be a threat to their neighbors or the region. Second, they should not be in communication or cooperation with any terrorist organization or a terrorist group that harms another country. Third, they should not have a separatist agenda; they should pursue an understanding that will defend the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all of Syria. Fourth, to make this possible, there will be an understanding where all preparations are made, and all segments of society are included, without being subjected to torture, oppression, or persecution."
"LET'S BENEFIT TOGETHER IF THERE IS A COMMON INTEREST"
We said, 'Let's talk to them; if they accept, we will continue on our way from here. If they do not, let’s take a stance together; if they do, let’s support together.' We actually think that it is primitive for any country in the region to dominate another country, that in the age of nation-states, our region needs a new understanding, a new law of solidarity, and a new law of cooperation, and that we need to solve problems together. If there is a risk, let’s share it together; if there is a benefit, let’s benefit together.
Otherwise, we have always seen the pursuit of a country to dominate the region 'by using force' with an old mentality as a strategy that is very much a thing of the past. We have also seen that those who chase after this, no matter how great a state they are, actually come out with great losses when they arrive. It would truly be a great loss to act without learning from all the events in our region and without producing a new strategy."
'UNCERTAINTY HAS BEEN REMOVED'
Fidan stated that the new administration in Syria starting its journey by cooperating with regional countries has prevented regional reactions, and added: "Now there are a few issues. The country harbors both opportunities and risks. But everyone is aware of the fact that a Syria in chaos, war, and disorder produces a few things, not just for Syria but for any country you apply this format to. It produces a physical security threat. It has to host terrorist organizations, and millions of people are displaced due to conflicts, becoming refugees in other countries.
"THERE SHOULD NOT BE TWO ARMED ELEMENTS IN ANY COUNTRY"
Fidan conveyed that the situation of the YPG is currently one of the issues they face, stating, "A consensus was reached between the YPG and the Damascus administration on March 10. They have roughly outlined a general timeline for its implementation. So far, we have not seen any concrete steps taken. As Turkey, we always say that it is important to advance this process, to resolve issues peacefully, and that a new conflict or confrontation would not be in anyone's favor. Therefore, it is important to advance the process through dialogue. The YPG needs to understand this: there cannot be two armed elements in any country. What will happen to the armed elements there? We are stating what the issues in the YPG/PKK equation are. There are matters related to national security that concern us. We are addressing these both during the process and in open statements. I always say that for stability to be achieved, this integration needs to be realized as soon as possible," he said.
"TRUMP'S ATTITUDE IS IMPORTANT"
Minister Fidan stated that the Syrian administration is in close contact with Turkey and the USA, and continued his remarks as follows: "We actually need to thank Mr. Trump. They understood that giving a chance to the administration in Syria and supporting it would be an important step for the security and stability of the region. This is actually an important stance. It is also necessary to emphasize that the relationships and encouragement of the regional countries, especially the Arab countries, with America play a significant role here."
"WE CANNOT TOLERATE SYRIA BECOMING A CHAOS ZONE AGAIN"
We hope that Israel does not have difficulty in accepting the proposal put forth by both America and Syria; that it accepts to live in a region where everyone is prosperous, equal, free, and secure. Otherwise, seeking security by seeing all neighboring countries in chaos is not sustainable. It is also not something we would accept. It is not possible for us as Turkey to tolerate Syria becoming a chaos zone again. The events in Iraq and Syria over the last 25-30 years have had an incredible cost for Turkey.
We have drawn some lessons from the events in Iraq, and we have derived important lessons in managing the chaos in Syria. Regarding Israel, the messages given by the international community, America, and regional countries are the same as in Palestine. 'Abandon the intervention and occupation of Syria; if there is an issue, solve it through dialogue and negotiation, find a ground for agreement and reconciliation.'
The message given right now is this. When this risk is managed, I don't see much of a problem in managing the other risks in Syria.