Doha: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Sunday stated Ankara’s firm stance against terrorism in Syria, emphasizing that Trkiye will not tolerate its continuation under any circumstances. “There is no way we will tolerate the continuation of terrorism in Syria,” Fidan asserted during a joint news conference with Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Doha, Qatar.
According to Anadolu Agency, Fidan underscored the necessity of ensuring security throughout Syria, especially with the new administration in place after the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December. He highlighted the importance of unifying armed groups in Syria under a national army. Fidan also stressed the significance of combating both the PKK/YPG and ISIS (Daesh) terror groups, expressing hope for a peaceful resolution without bloodshed.
Fidan criticized the US relationship with the PKK/YPG, describing it as ‘temporary cooperation’ since the Obama era. He pointed out that this cooperation has led to complications and increased terrorist threats against Trkiye. Fidan revealed that the PKK/YPG’s role in providing “prison services” for ISIS prisoners does not equate to the capability to fight ISIS independently, and emphasized the potential for regional collaboration between Trkiye, Iraq, Syria, and Jordan to counter ISIS.
The Turkish foreign minister expressed hope that US President Donald Trump would reconsider the policy that he believes threatens Trkiye and called for a new approach to manage ISIS detainees. He urged the lifting of international sanctions on Syria to facilitate reconstruction and meet energy needs, highlighting Trkiye’s readiness to support Syria’s new administration.
Fidan also praised the strategic partnership between Trkiye and Qatar, emphasizing the solid foundations of their relationship and its positive impact on regional peace, security, and prosperity. He mentioned the shared efforts of Trkiye and Qatar in various sectors, including energy, transportation, and communication.
Regarding the Gaza ceasefire, Fidan underscored Trkiye’s commitment to maintaining the truce and preventing further conflict. He thanked Qatar and Egypt for their role in the ceasefire agreement and stressed the importance of ensuring uninterrupted humanitarian aid to Gaza. Fidan reiterated Trkiye’s opposition to proposals that would relocate Palestinians to Egypt and Jordan, aligning with the stance of several Arab nations against such plans.