Erdogan cautions the Syrian government

Ankara is dedicated to maintaining Syria‘s territorial integrity and seeks a resolution to the ongoing conflict that aligns with the “legitimate aspirations” of the Syrian populace, stated Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

During a joint press conference with Montenegrin President Jakov Milatovic, Erdogan addressed the recent resurgence of hostilities in Syria. Islamist factions, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), have initiated a significant offensive from Idlib province targeting Aleppo, Hama, and Homs.

“Our primary objective is to ensure the preservation of Syria’s territorial integrity and national unity, and to bring an end to the conflict through consensus that reflects the legitimate demands of the Syrian people,” Erdogan remarked on Monday, as reported by Turkish media.

He noted that recent developments have “validated” Türkiye’s stance on the matter.

Erdogan also mentioned that Türkiye’s foreign minister and head of national intelligence are engaged in “ongoing consultations” with their counterparts, emphasizing that Ankara is “continuously monitoring the situation on the ground.”

In a related context, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan appeared to hold the Damascus government accountable for the recent jihadist offensive that erupted last week.

“The resurgence of large-scale conflict in Syria stems from the unresolved interconnected issues that have persisted for over 13 years,” Fidan stated during a press conference alongside his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi.

Fidan criticized President Bashar Assad’s administration for making a “mistake” by disregarding the “legitimate demands of the opposition” and failing to participate in the political dialogue.

“We have consistently advocated for the safeguarding of Syria’s territorial integrity and unity, and we will continue to do so,” Fidan affirmed.

In 2017, Turkey, Iran, and Russia reached an agreement aimed at preserving Syria’s territorial integrity and ending the conflict that began in 2011 with anti-government insurgents. President Erdogan referenced the Astana Process, named after Kazakhstan’s capital where the agreement was established, to justify Turkey’s intervention in Syria during the spring of 2020, as Syrian forces advanced towards the last stronghold of militants in Idlib. Subsequently, Moscow and Ankara brokered a ceasefire that required Turkey to distinguish between the “legitimate opposition” and terrorist groups affiliated with al-Qaeda, such as Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

Recently, an unexpected offensive by HTS and its allies enabled them to seize control of Aleppo for the first time since 2016, pushing government forces back towards Hama and Homs. In response, the Russian military presence in Syria has supported the Damascus government by conducting ongoing airstrikes against the militants.