US Support for Stability in Syria ‘Extremely Important,’ Says Turkish Foreign Minister
ANKARA/ISTANBUL: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has underscored the critical importance of continued US support for “order, prosperity, and stability” in Syria, saying coordinated efforts between Ankara and Washington remain vital for regional security.
Speaking during a live broadcast on Turkish channel A Haber, Fidan highlighted the outcomes of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s September meeting with US President Donald Trump, where major bilateral and regional issues were discussed.
Fidan said Türkiye’s “strong foreign policy performance” and reliability as a partner had increased its value as a country sought out for cooperation. Discussions in Washington, he noted, once again focused on issues “of critical importance for both countries and for global stability,” including developments in Syria, Palestine, and Ukraine.
Fidan described Türkiye’s involvement in Syria stabilizing regions, facilitating refugee returns, and supporting the new Syrian administration as efforts “rarely seen in history.” He said Türkiye’s actions were rooted in safeguarding Syria’s territorial integrity while working collectively with regional nations.
He added that Türkiye’s presence in Syria is “natural,” arguing that resolving Syria’s crises benefits not only Türkiye but the wider region.
A major focus of Ankara’s talks with Washington remains the PKK/YPG, which Türkiye considers a terror organization and which operates in Syria under the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) banner.
Fidan stressed that resolving the issue requires “a shared understanding,” noting that the US had built political and military mechanisms with the group under the pretext of fighting ISIS/Daesh.
“Rolling this back,” he said, would require “care, order, and patience.”
He also pointed to ongoing contacts between Damascus and the YPG, though noting that talks were recently interrupted due to developments following Israel’s intervention in southern Syria.
Fidan said Türkiye and the US share the goal of preventing Israel from posing a threat to Syria and ensuring Syria does not become a threat to Israel, while affirming respect for all sides’ sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He stressed that parts of Syria remain under occupation and that “the occupation must end,” adding that no actor should pursue a strategy that threatens the country’s unity.
Fidan said Türkiye continues to work through multiple channels to guide the Damascus-YPG dialogue toward concrete outcomes. He noted that one reason for disruptions in negotiations is the YPG’s tendency to “seek opportunities in new regional crises.”
Fidan criticized what he described as Israeli provocations in southern Syria, particularly affecting the Druze community.
He also welcomed the recent removal of Syrian President Ahmed Al-Shara and his colleagues from the UN terror list, calling it “a very significant diplomatic move,” and thanked UN Security Council members for their support.