Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has dismissed former U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that Turkey carried out an “unfriendly takeover” in Syria. Trump had praised Turkey for ousting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad with minimal loss of life, calling it a “smart” move. However, in an interview, Fidan argued that it would be a grave mistake to characterize the events in Syria as a takeover by Turkey. He stated that the true force at play is the will of the Syrian people.
Fidan emphasized that Turkey does not seek to dominate Syria or control the region but believes in fostering cooperation over domination, which has historically caused instability. He added that Turkey’s role should not be defined as ruling Syria.
Addressing concerns about potential Turkish military action against Kurdish forces in Syria, Fidan described the YPG (People’s Protection Units) as a threat linked to the PKK, a group recognized as a terrorist organization by both Turkey and the West. He criticized Western nations for overlooking the YPG’s ties to the PKK, calling for an end to U.S. support for the Syrian Democratic Forces.
Fidan also remarked that the new Syrian government in Damascus must address the Kurdish issue to prevent further Turkish intervention. Turkey has reopened its embassy in Damascus, recognizing the new administration as a legitimate partner.
He also called for the delisting of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group from terrorist lists, highlighting the group’s shift away from al-Qaeda and its role in governing parts of Syria.
