Ankara has voiced its support for Damascus while emphasizing the need to address the concerns of the legitimate opposition.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan affirmed Turkey’s commitment to Syria’s territorial integrity and its desire for a conflict resolution that aligns with the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people. Addressing a joint press conference with Montenegrin President Jakov Milatovic, Erdogan commented on the recent escalation of fighting in Syria, triggered by a large-scale offensive launched by Hayat Tahrir-al-Sham (HTS) and other groups from Idlib province towards Aleppo, Hama, and Homs.
“Our paramount goal is the preservation of Syria’s territorial integrity and national unity, and a resolution achieved through consensus that reflects the legitimate demands of the Syrian people,” Erdogan stated on Monday, as reported by Turkish media.
Recent events have “validated” Türkiye’s position, Erdogan asserted.
Türkiye’s foreign minister and intelligence chief are engaged in “ongoing consultations” with their counterparts, Erdogan added, highlighting Ankara’s “continuous monitoring of the situation.”
Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan appeared to hold the Damascus government responsible for the jihadist offensive.
“The protracted conflict in Syria, lasting over 13 years, stems from the unresolved interconnected issues within the country,” Fidan stated during a press conference with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi.
President Bashar Assad’s government erred by disregarding the “legitimate demands of the opposition” and failing to participate in the political process, Fidan argued.
“We have consistently supported, and will continue to support, the preservation of Syria’s territorial integrity and unity,” Fidan added.
Türkiye, Iran, and Russia signed a 2017 agreement to uphold Syria’s territorial integrity and end the war initiated by anti-government rebels in 2011. Erdogan cited the Astana Process, the agreement forged in Kazakhstan’s capital, as justification for Türkiye’s intervention in Syria in 2020, when the Syrian army advanced on the last militant stronghold in Idlib. Moscow and Ankara subsequently negotiated a ceasefire, obligating Türkiye to separate the “legitimate opposition” from al-Qaeda-linked terrorists, such as HTS.
Last week’s surprise attack by HTS and its allies enabled them to enter Aleppo for the first time since 2016 and push government forces back towards Hama and Homs. The Russian expeditionary force in Syria has provided support to Damascus through continuous airstrikes against the militants.