Türkiye Nearing Resolution of S-400 Sanctions Dispute with Washington: Fidan
Ankara, The Gulf Observer: Türkiye is close to resolving its longstanding dispute with the United States over sanctions imposed following Ankara’s purchase of the Russian-made S-400 air defense system, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said in an interview with Reuters on Saturday.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Doha Forum, Fidan stated that discussions with Washington are advancing positively and expressed confidence in an imminent breakthrough. “I believe we’ll soon find a way to remove that obstacle,” he said, referring to the 2020 sanctions enacted under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). The measures have strained bilateral relations for nearly five years.
Turning to developments in the Middle East, Fidan warned that failure to advance to the next stage of the US-backed Gaza cease-fire plan would represent a “huge failure” for both the international community and Washington. He noted that President Donald Trump has personally driven the initiative.
Fidan emphasized that Hamas could only be disarmed once a credible Palestinian civil administration and a well-trained, properly vetted police force are established in Gaza. He said the group is prepared to transfer authority over the enclave.
“First of all, we need to see that the Palestinian committee of technical people are taking over the administration of Gaza, then we need to see that the police force is being formed to police Gaza – again, by the Palestinians, not Hamas,” he said.
He added that the planned Gaza police force would operate with the support of an international stabilization mission. Türkiye has requested to join that mission, and Fidan confirmed that Washington is pressing Israel on the matter. Ankara, he said, is ready to deploy troops if needed.
‘Only One Army’ in Syria
Addressing Syria, Fidan commented on the agreement reached in March that proposed integrating the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into the Syrian state structure. He said recent communications from the SDF indicate it has “no intention” of honoring the deal and is instead seeking alternative arrangements.
“I think they (the SDF) should understand that the command and control should come from one place. There can be no two armies in any given country,” he said. While military authority must remain unified, he acknowledged that different local administrative arrangements could be negotiated.
Nearly one year after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad, Fidan noted that certain issues concerning minority rights remain unresolved. He stressed that Türkiye’s support for Syria’s new leadership is not a “blank cheque” for any form of repression, while pointing out that Damascus is taking steps toward national cohesion.
He argued that Israeli “destabilization policies” continue to hinder progress. Israel has conducted multiple strikes in southwestern Syria this year, citing threats from militants and pledging to protect the Druze population near the border. Earlier this week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Syria is expected to establish a demilitarized buffer zone from Damascus to the frontier.
Russia-Ukraine Conflict
On the war between Russia and Ukraine, Fidan described Washington’s initial 28-point proposal for ending the conflict as “a starting point,” noting that the framework for mediation is now evolving. He said US efforts to broker a settlement are “on the right path.”
