Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has dismissed claims made by incoming U.S. President Donald Trump, who described the removal of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad as an “unfriendly takeover” by Turkey. In a recent news conference, Trump praised Ankara, saying it had executed this “takeover” without significant loss of life.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Fidan emphasized that it is a “grave mistake” to characterize the situation in Syria as a Turkish takeover. “For the Syrian people, it is not a takeover. I think if there is any takeover, it’s the will of the Syrian people which is taking over now,” he stated.
He further expressed that Turkey does not aspire to be seen as a dominant force in the region, noting that a culture of dominance has led to devastation. “The last thing we want is to represent a culture of domination, whether it’s Turkish, Iranian, or Arab; cooperation should be essential,” Fidan said. He reiterated that Turkey’s support for the Syrian people should not be misinterpreted as a desire to govern the country.
Addressing concerns about a potential Turkish military offensive against Kurdish forces in Syria, Fidan identified the YPG (People’s Protection Units) as a significant threat to Turkey. He linked the YPG to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which is classified as a terrorist organization by both Turkey and the West. “The YPG is an extension of the PKK,” he asserted, criticizing Western allies for overlooking this connection.
Fidan accused the YPG of misrepresenting their role, claiming they have maintained control over territory by portraying themselves as allies in the fight against ISIS. He stressed that Turkey has been urging the U.S. to halt military support for the Syrian Democratic Forces, predominantly comprised of the YPG.
He also pointed out that the Syrian government’s new administration must address the Kurdish issue within its borders, which could reduce the likelihood of Turkish intervention. “If they address this issue properly, there would be no reason for us to intervene,” he explained.
Local reports indicate an uptick in Turkish military presence along the border, though no unusual activities have been observed.
Fidan noted that Turkey recognizes the new Syrian administration as a “legitimate partner,” highlighting that the Turkish embassy in Damascus has reopened, with the ambassador directed to engage with local and central authorities. He mentioned that officials from the UN and EU, among others, have also reached out to the new administration.
Regarding the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, Fidan advocated for their removal from the terrorism list, arguing that it is time for the international community, starting with the UN, to reassess their status. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken acknowledged that Washington is in communication with HTS regarding Syria’s future. The U.S. designated HTS as a foreign terrorist organization in May 2018 due to its ties with the al-Nusra Front, an affiliate of al-Qaeda.
Since then, HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa has worked to distance the group from al-Qaeda, positioning HTS as a viable authority in post-Assad Syria.
Credit: Aljazeera
