Israel's actions are causing instability in the region, affirms Foreign Minister Fidan, as Turkey reiterates its backing for Syria.
In a significant development, Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan visited Damascus on August 7, 2023, marking his third visit to the city since the fall of the Assad regime. During his visit, Fidan held discussions with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, focusing on security issues and threats to Syria's sovereignty and political unity.
Fidan's stance, as stated in a post on his social media account following the meetings, is firmly against Israel's policies in Syria. He accused Israel of deliberately destabilizing Syria by intervening under the pretext of protecting the Druze minority and pursuing "heinous goals" aimed at dividing the country. Fidan emphasized that Israel wants to partition Syria rather than see it stable and united, which Turkey opposes, warning that any attempt to redraw Syria's borders by force will be seen as a direct national security threat and could prompt Turkish intervention.
Regarding Syria's fight against terrorist organizations, Turkey supports Syria’s territorial integrity and stability and collaborates closely with the Syrian government to combat common threats, particularly targeting PKK-linked terrorist elements in northern Syria, which Turkey considers a major obstacle to lasting peace. Fidan highlighted that Turkey remains a reliable partner in Syria's pursuit of peace and security and is engaged in cooperation on infrastructure, border security, energy, and state capacity building. He called on the international community to help Syria in reconstruction efforts and stressed Turkey's ongoing struggle until security is fully restored in the region.
During his meeting with Sharaa, Fidan and Sharaa also discussed issues such as trade, investment, transportation, and energy. However, no details about these discussions were provided in the article. Fidan stated that under the leadership of the presidents of both countries, Turkey and Syria are determined to deepen cooperation in all areas. Fidan noted that the Syrian people are seizing a historic opportunity to build a better future.
Fidan concluded by stating that they evaluated steps that could be taken at bilateral and regional levels for Syria's reconstruction, focusing on security matters. He expressed readiness to provide assistance to the Syrian Government in managing and securing camps in northeastern Syria. Fidan reiterated Turkey's commitment to stand by the Syrian people and support their legitimate expectations. He also mentioned that the international community, particularly the United States and European countries, are providing significant support to overcome Syria's problems.
This position reflects Turkey's complex regional interests, condemning Israeli military actions while backing the Syrian state against separatism and terrorism. The visit underscores Turkey's continued engagement with Syria and its commitment to regional stability.
- The Turkish Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, has expressed his opposition to Israel's actions in Syria, alleging that Israel is deliberately destabilizing the country with the intention of partitioning it, which Turkey vehemently opposes.
- In addition to addressing conflicts and security issues, Fidan's recently concluded discussions with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa included talks about trade, investment, transportation, and energy, aiming to deepen cooperation between Turkey and Syria.
- Fidan's stance on Syria's reconstruction involves providing assistance to the Syrian Government in managing and securing camps in northeastern Syria, demonstrating Turkey's ongoing support for the Syrian people and its commitment to cooperate on regional stability in the context of war-and-conflicts, politics, and general news.
