Ankara: Turkey affirmed that it will continue to provide unconditional support to Syria in many areas it needs in the new phase, within the framework of mutual agreements between the two countries.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, sources at the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a media circular on Thursday that Syria has entered a new phase with the overthrow of the Bashar al-Assad regime, and that the Syrian people are trying to heal the wounds of the 14-year conflict, on the one hand, and are also implementing a political transition to determine their future under Syrian leadership.
The sources stressed the importance of supporting the steps taken by the Syrian government to integrate into the regional and international community and its efforts to achieve security, stability, and prosperity in the country. They pointed out that the way to rid Syria and the region of the threat of instability lies in providing more support and greater communication, including lifting the sanctions facing the country. They emphasized that Turkey has made significant efforts to develop communication and mutual understanding among the countries of the region and the Syrian administration in the period following the fall of the regime. They explained that these efforts continued through contacts and meetings that included other key partners, including the United States, and supported further engagement between the international community and the Syrian government.
These sources stated in their media release: “The backbone of Turkish policy toward Syria is achieving national reconciliation by protecting the country’s unity and territorial integrity, establishing security and stability in the country by purging it of terrorist elements, and ensuring Syria’s reconstruction through the lifting of sanctions.” The sources indicated that Turkey has adopted a position of unconditional support for the Syrian administration and people, who have seized the historic opportunity to achieve these goals.
They stated that, when examining the situation in Syria, it is clear that military activity in the south of the country has partially ceased, and that work has begun to integrate armed groups in the south into the ranks of the new army. Commenting on the violent events witnessed in the Rif Damascus Governorate over the past two days, Turkish sources stated that “it is natural for occasional clashes to occur as a result of the influence of incitement and provocation that arises from time to time.”
On another note, they added: “One of the important developments… is the United States’ announcement that it will work to reduce its presence.” The military operation, without announcing a specific timeline, intends to proceed with this process gradually based on an assessment of the situation on the ground. The United States encourages cooperation between Syria and Iraq in the areas of border security and counterterrorism.
The sources also referred to the “Kurdish Unity and Stance” conference held in the Syrian city of Qamishli on April 26, with the participation of the Syrian Kurdish National Council, formed by parties loyal to the YPG. Turkish sources reported that the Syrian administration issued a statement stating that the messages issued at this conference were inconsistent with the agreement reached with the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
They explained that preserving the unity and territorial integrity of Syria is a top priority for the new Syrian administration, as is the case for Turkey. They pointed to the importance of protecting the country’s unity under a central administration and granting equal citizenship rights to all Syrian components, as outlined in the Constitutional Declaration.
The sources emphasized that Ankara wants to see a Syrian constitution and a Syrian administration that provide equal opportunities for all ethnic and religious components of the country. Foreign Ministry sources stated: “Turkey does not accept any attempt to prevent the establishment of a system in which Syrian citizens enjoy equal rights and freedoms, based on constitutional guarantees, and are able to express their identities and beliefs freely and safely.”
They added: “The responsibility for combating terrorist elements and separatist movements in Syria lies primarily with the Syrian administration, and Turkey has provided the necessary space to allow these problems to be overcome based on the method preferred by the Syrian administration.” They indicated that Turkey hopes to implement the agreement reached between the Syrian administration and the SDF by preventing formations affiliated with the terrorist PKK from becoming effective at the political and military levels.
The sources indicated that expectations remain regarding the PKK’s response to its leader Abdullah ‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦€š¬…€œcalan’s call to lay down its arms and refrain from being an obstacle to the return to normal life in the region. They recalled that Turkey does not accept any initiative that targets Syria’s territorial integrity, undermines its sovereignty, allows individuals outside the central authority to bear arms in Syria, or guarantees the continuation of terrorist organizations.