Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has offered implicit support to the jihadist offensive in Syria, expressing his hope for its continued advance toward Damascus, according to multiple news reports on Friday.
Last week, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), formerly Jabhat al-Nusra, launched a surprise attack from its Idlib base, targeting Aleppo province. HTS, designated a terrorist organization by Syria, Russia, Iran, the US, and others, is also officially classified as such by Turkey, despite this apparent support.
The militants have since repelled government forces, seizing considerable territory in Aleppo and Idlib, and by Thursday, had encircled Hama. Reports indicate thousands are fleeing Homs, Syria’s third-largest city, as the offensive progresses southward. HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani reportedly warned Homs residents, “your time has come.”
Erdogan, addressing regional matters on Friday, stated his wish for the jihadists’ unimpeded progress. He is quoted as telling reporters in Istanbul, “Idlib, Hama, Homs, and the target, of course, is Damascus. The opposition’s march continues,” adding, “Our wish is that this march in Syria continues without accidents or disasters,”
Erdogan mentioned a call to Damascus for joint Syrian future determination, but claimed a lack of positive response. While Erdogan affirmed commitment to Syria’s territorial integrity, he also asserted the need to address the concerns of the “legitimate opposition.”
This week, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan attributed the renewed jihadist offensive to the Syrian government, alleging the country’s protracted “interconnected problems” remain unresolved after over 13 years.
Turkey, bordering militant-held Idlib, opposes military action there, fearing a mass refugee influx across its border. This led to a fragile truce negotiated in 2020.