Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has firmly rejected statements made by United States President-elect Donald Trump, who described the ousting of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad as an “unfriendly takeover” orchestrated by Turkiye. Speaking to Al Jazeera, Fidan stressed that the current developments in Syria reflect the will of the Syrian people and not Turkish domination.
Trump’s Remarks on Syrian Developments
Earlier this week, Trump described Turkiye’s actions in Syria as “very smart” and referred to them as an “unfriendly takeover without a lot of lives being lost.” These comments have drawn criticism and scrutiny, particularly from Turkish officials.
Fidan, in his response, called Trump’s characterization “a grave mistake,” stating that the events in Syria are not about a power grab by Turkiye but are instead rooted in the desires and struggles of the Syrian people.
“For Syrian people, it is not a takeover. If there is any takeover, it’s the will of the Syrian people taking over now,” Fidan emphasized.
Cooperation, Not Domination
Fidan reiterated Turkiye’s stance against regional domination and advocated for cooperative relations among nations in the region. Highlighting the destructive history of domination, he stated:
“We are drawing huge lessons from what’s been happening in our region. The culture of domination—whether Turkish, Iranian, or Arab—has brought ruin. Cooperation should be essential,” he said.
Fidan further explained that Turkiye does not wish to be perceived as ruling Syria, adding, “Our solidarity with the Syrian people shouldn’t be misinterpreted as control or rule over Syria.”
Tensions with Kurdish Forces
The Turkish foreign minister also addressed concerns regarding a potential military offensive in Syria. Turkiye views the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a group designated as a terrorist organization by Turkiye and the West.
Fidan accused the YPG of falsely presenting itself as a key ally in the fight against ISIL (ISIS) to gain Western support. “This is a misrepresentation of their true identity. They are there as a terrorist organization,” he asserted.
He called on the United States to cease its military backing of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in which the YPG plays a leading role. Fidan also urged Syria’s new government to address the Kurdish forces in its territory to prevent further interventions from Turkiye.
Diplomatic Developments and HTS Controversy
Fidan revealed that Turkiye has officially recognized the new administration in Damascus as a legitimate partner, reopening its embassy in Syria’s capital. He described this move as part of a broader effort to stabilize the region and facilitate diplomatic dialogue.
However, Fidan sparked controversy by advocating for the removal of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) from international terrorism lists. HTS, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa (also known as Abu Mohammed al-Julani), has distanced itself from its al-Qaeda roots and is positioning itself as a governing body in Syria.
“It is time for the international community, starting with the UN, to reconsider HTS’s classification as a terrorist organization,” Fidan argued.
A Complex Landscape
As the region faces shifting alliances, Fidan’s remarks emphasize Turkiye’s focus on regional cooperation amid U.S. and Syria tensions. Washington acknowledges communication with HTS but maintains the group’s terrorist designation, complicating efforts to shape Syria’s future.
Observers closely monitor military activity along the Turkish-Syrian border, questioning Turkiye’s potential role in Syria’s next phase.
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