Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has rejected claims made by incoming US President Donald Trump regarding the situation in Syria. Trump had suggested that Turkey had carried out an “unfriendly takeover” in Syria, but Fidan emphasized that it would be a mistake to view the events in Syria in that way.
Fidan explained that the current situation in Syria should not be seen as a takeover by Turkey, but rather as the will of the Syrian people coming to the forefront. He emphasized the importance of cooperation among regional powers rather than domination, as domination has only brought ruin to the region.
Regarding concerns about a potential Turkish military offensive in Syria against Kurdish forces, Fidan highlighted the threat posed by the YPG, which is viewed as an extension of the PKK. He expressed the need for Western countries to acknowledge the true nature of the YPG as a terrorist organization and to cease their support for them.
Fidan also mentioned that the new Syrian government should address the issue of Kurdish forces in the country to prevent further intervention by Turkey. He noted that Turkey recognizes the new administration in Syria as a legitimate partner and has reopened its embassy in Damascus.
Furthermore, Fidan called for the international community to remove the HTS group from the terrorism list, as discussions with HTS are being held in the context of shaping the future of Syria. He pointed out that HTS has distanced itself from al-Qaeda and is positioning itself as a key player in post-Assad Syria.
