There is a new reality in Syria, says Turkey's Erdoğan

Turkish President Erdoğan has stated that there was now a new reality in Syria following the recent developments in the latter country.

Sunday December 08 2024 01:07 am

Reuters

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Dec. 7 that there was now a new reality in neighbouring Syria, where Turkey has long supported opposition forces and carried out incursions against Kurdish forces that it regards as "terrorists."

He was speaking as Syrian rebels entered suburbs of the city of Homs, sources said, opening a path to Damascus in a lightning advance as front lines collapse and government forces battle to save President Bashar al-Assad's 24-year rule.

"There is now a new reality in Syria, politically and diplomatically. And Syria belongs to Syrians with all its ethnic, sectarian and religious elements," Erdoğan said in a speech in the southeastern Turkish city of Gaziantep.

"The people of Syria are the ones who will decide the future of their own country."

Ankara has for years supported Syrian opposition forces looking to oust the Iran and Russia-backed Assad.

"As Turkey, our wish is for our neighbour Syria to quickly regain the peace, stability and tranquillity it has been longing for 13 years," he added.

He added that the best way for the region to deal with the situation would be for "responsible actors and all international organisations" to support the preservation of Syria's territorial integrity.

A main concern of Turkey is the presence in northern Syria of the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia, which it regards as a "terrorist" group, closely tied with militants in Turkey who have fought a 40-year insurgency against the Turkish state.

Topics Syria Erdoğan President Erdoğan Turkey-Syria