Erdogan cautions Syria’s government
Date
12/4/2024 7:38:36 AM
(MENAFN) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reaffirmed Turkey's commitment to Syria's territorial integrity and stressed the importance of resolving the conflict according to the "legitimate wishes" of the Syrian people. Speaking at a press conference with Montenegrin President Jakov Milatovic, Erdogan addressed the recent escalation of violence in Syria, where Islamist militant groups, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), launched a large offensive from Idlib province targeting Aleppo, Hama, and Homs. Erdogan emphasized Turkey's goal of preserving Syria's national unity and ending the conflict through consensus aligned with the Syrian people's demands.
Erdogan's comments came amid growing concerns over the ongoing fighting, which he described as confirming Turkey’s stance. He mentioned that Turkish foreign and intelligence officials were in constant consultation, closely monitoring the developments on the ground. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, speaking alongside Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, blamed the Syrian government for the ongoing violence, citing Damascus's failure to address opposition demands as a key factor in the renewed conflict. Fidan reiterated Turkey’s support for Syria’s territorial integrity and unity.
Turkey, Iran, and Russia had previously signed the Astana agreement in 2017, aiming to preserve Syria’s territorial integrity and end the civil war. Erdogan referenced the Astana Process as part of Turkey's involvement in Syria, which began with military action in 2020 to protect Idlib from Syrian government forces. Meanwhile, the recent HTS-led offensive led to their entry into Aleppo for the first time since 2016, prompting Russian support for the Syrian government through airstrikes against the militants.
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