Former ruling groups are inciting conflict in Syria: Erdogan

 

Erdogan: Former Ruling Elites Fueling Conflict in Syria

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Issues Stern Warning Against Attempts to Incite Sectarian Tensions in Syria

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has issued a stern warning against attempts to incite sectarian tensions in Syria, stating that remnants of some former ruling groups are trying to provoke new conflicts. Speaking at a press conference in Ankara on Monday after a cabinet meeting, Erdoğan addressed the issue in detail.

Erdoğan said, "We strongly condemn any attempt to provoke sectarian conflict in Syria. Although the situation is still under our control, the entire region remains highly sensitive." He also welcomed the commitment of Syria's interim president, Ahmed al-Sharar, to "ensure the punishment of law violators," and added, "I believe that the Syrian people will not push their country back into chaos."

Erdoğan emphasized, "Those who judge Syria solely based on religion or sectarian identity are confined to narrow ideologies. During the rule of the Ba'ath Party, over a million Syrians were killed. We stood by them then, and we remain steadfast in our support today." He reiterated that Turkey has always worked for the welfare of the Syrian people and is prepared to play a vital role in resolving the crisis.

Highlighting the importance of improving Turkey's relations with the European Union (EU), Erdoğan said, "We want Europe to recognize our role and work with us jointly." Referring to the Russia-Ukraine war, he stated, "From day one, Turkey's balanced, firm, and principled stance has become even more evident."

Addressing Turkey's strong stance against terrorism, Erdoğan noted, "For the past 40 years, we have been striving to dismantle the wall of blood and sorrow that has formed within our nation." He further emphasized that Turkey's active role in maintaining regional stability would continue.

Recently, Turkey hosted visits from Jordan's Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah, North Macedonia's Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, and Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev. Erdoğan mentioned, "The newly inaugurated Nakhchivan-Iğdır natural gas pipeline will meet Nakhchivan's entire gas needs for the next 30 years, strengthening our bilateral relations."

President Erdoğan concluded his remarks by making it clear that Ankara is ready to thwart any conspiracy aimed at destabilizing Syria through provocation. He also called upon the international community to play a responsible role in maintaining regional stability.