Turkish FM: Syria must reconcile with its people, legitimate opposition

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has said that Türkiye is ready to contribute to the process of resolving the situation in Syria, while considering any foreign intervention in the neighbouring country to be a mistake.

Fidan made these remarks after talks in Ankara with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, Caliber.Az reports via Turkish media. 

"The recent developments once again highlight that Damascus must reconcile with its own people and the legitimate opposition. Türkiye is ready to make all necessary efforts in this direction. In the coming period, we will continue coordinating actions with Iran, with which we have carried out significant work within the Astana process. We have always advocated for Syria's territorial integrity and unity, and we will continue doing so in the future," the Turkish foreign minister said. 

He emphasised that at this stage, it would be incorrect to attribute the escalation in Syria to foreign interference, calling it a misconception held by those who refuse to understand the realities of Syria. 

"At present, the reason for the renewed clashes in Syria is the failure to resolve the interconnected issues of the country for over 13 years," Fidan added. 

The Turkish foreign minister also noted that Ankara will not allow terrorist organisations operating in the region to use the situation. 

"Our structures monitor the situation in Syria around the clock and take necessary measures to prevent any potential issues," he said.

On November 27, rebel forces launched a major offensive, capturing parts of Aleppo, the country's second-largest city, for the first time since 2016. After three days of intense fighting, Syrian government forces withdrew from the city on November 30.

The offensive coincided with the redeployment of pro-Iranian militias, including Hezbollah, which have traditionally supported the Assad regime but are now engaged in the conflict with Israel. Without their backing, government troops were unable to resist the rebel advance effectively.

By Naila Huseynova