Türkiye Committed to Ensuring Peace and Security in Syria, Says Foreign Minister Fidan

Doha, The Gulf Observer: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has expressed confidence that the Syrian people will play a pivotal role in reshaping the future of their war-torn country. Speaking at the Doha Forum 2024 on Sunday, Fidan outlined his vision for Syria’s future, emphasizing that millions of Syrians, who were previously displaced, will now have the opportunity to return home safely.

Fidan’s remarks came following the Syrian opposition’s control of Damascus. Despite various initiatives, including Turkish President Erdogan’s call for a political solution, Fidan noted that the Assad regime has rejected these proposals, leading to the ongoing crisis in the country.

“Since the Astana process froze the war in 2016, the regime has had precious time to address existing problems,” Fidan said. “But they didn’t, and instead, we saw a slow decay and collapse of the regime, which explains why, almost without firing one bullet, Aleppo fell immediately, followed by other cities.”

He attributed the rapid erosion of the Assad regime to its failure to meet the basic needs of the Syrian people, which, he stated, has contributed to a massive migration crisis. “The demands of the Syrian people have been ignored, and the regime has been unable to provide even the most basic services,” Fidan explained.

Fidan reiterated Turkey’s unwavering commitment to Syria’s national unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, stressing that Turkey will continue to collaborate with neighboring countries and the new administration to reconstruct Syria and address its economic challenges.

“Turkey will take all necessary steps to ensure peace and security in Syria,” he said, while also urging international actors to be involved in the transition process. “We call on the global community to support the Syrian people for a smooth transition in this crucial period.”

Fidan also warned that the situation in Syria must be handled with care to avoid further instability in the region. “We urge both regional and global players to act with caution, as the territorial integrity of Syria must be preserved,” he stated. He added that a new Syria must not pose a threat to its neighbors, and that terrorist organizations must not be allowed to exploit the situation.

The Foreign Ministers of Turkey, Iran, and Russia, key parties to the Astana Process, met in Doha to discuss the latest developments in Syria. The meeting also saw the participation of the foreign ministers of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, and Iraq. Fidan emphasized the importance of an inclusive approach to Syria’s future, calling for equal treatment of all groups, including Christians, Kurds, and non-Muslims, and strongly opposing any form of revenge attacks.

The Turkish Foreign Minister also highlighted the critical need to secure chemical weapons in Syria, emphasizing that their security is vital to avoid further escalations.

The discussions held in Doha underscored the importance of continued regional cooperation and a careful, inclusive approach to Syria’s ongoing reconstruction and stabilization efforts.