Turkish president commends Damascus’s unyielding stance during Syria turmoil

Turkish President Erdoğan emphasised that Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has maintained an unyielding stance, with no concessions made by Damascus to date.

“President al-Sharaa has demonstrated a resolute position. Until now, no compromises have been made,” Caliber.Az quotes Erdoğan as saying per Turkish media

Speaking to journalists on board his flight, addressing recent developments in Syria, Erdoğan criticised Israel for persistently attempting to ignite tensions across the region. “Israel is constantly trying to set the entire region ablaze. In response, Syria’s measured approach has kept the situation under cautious control.”

The Turkish president revealed that Syria currently maintains control over the area with around 2,500 troops equipped with light weapons, particularly establishing dominance in the southern part of the country.

“With recent measures, they have secured effective control, establishing a foothold in the south,” he stated.

Erdoğan stressed that the Syrian people, having learned from their painful past, are united across communities and refuse to fall into external provocations. He specifically mentioned reconciliation between the Druze community and other groups within Syria.

Describing President al-Sharaa’s leadership as a positive development, Erdoğan said they discussed this directly in a recent phone call, during which Syria conveyed its requests to Türkiye. “We assured them of our full support,” he added.

Erdoğan also noted ongoing diplomatic coordination involving Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, the US Special Envoy, and US Secretary of State, alongside communications between Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organisation chief İbrahim Kalın and Defence Minister Yaşar Güler with their counterparts.

The latest developments include the deployment of the 2,500-strong lightly armed Syrian force to the Suwayda region, with negotiations involving tribal leaders, Jordanians, and the US envoy ongoing in Amman over the past two days.

“The area around Suwayda is encircled,” Erdoğan reported, pointing to challenges regarding the entry of forces into the city.

While two of the three Druze factions remain cooperative, one continues to act in alignment with Israel, sustaining unrest and occasional clashes inside the city. “Police and military are barred from entering; they are confined to the outskirts.”

At the ongoing talks in Amman, all parties except one Druze faction have voluntarily agreed to a ceasefire. 

By Aghakazim Guliyev