Media: Assad’s fall shocks world – but Türkiye saw it coming

The overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad came as a shock to the international community, but was not unexpected for Ankara.

Türkiye has identified three key priorities for its policy in Syria: the construction of a new Syria, combating the terrorist organization PKK/YPG, and ensuring the safe return of Syrian refugees to their homeland, Caliber.Az reports via Hürriyet.

The Turkish Ministry of Interior reports that 2.9 million Syrians currently reside in Türkiye. Ankara remains determined to end the PKK's presence along its borders and eliminate the so-called "terrorist corridor." Following the Syrian National Army’s capture of Manbij in northern Syria, pro-Turkish forces are now aiming to dismantle PKK influence in areas such as Kobani and Qashimlu near the border.

Earlier, Turkish officials outlined their plan to establish a 30-kilometre security zone in northern Syria. This initiative aims to secure a 600-kilometre stretch of border with Syria while reducing threats of terrorism emanating from the neighbouring country.

Furthermore, the newspaper highlighted that Ankara was not caught off guard by recent developments in Syria, which ultimately led to Assad’s administration falling. According to Hürriyet columnist Abdulkadir Selvi, Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization and military had been closely monitoring the situation in the region.

On November 27, as Syrian opposition forces launched an offensive on Aleppo, Ankara anticipated that they would likely advance to Damascus swiftly. 

"Therefore, while the overthrow of Assad came as a surprise to the rest of the world, it was not unexpected for Ankara,” Selvi wrote.

By Aghakazim Guliyev