Turkish Foreign Ministry sources said in a statement, "Syria is entering a new era with the overthrow of the Assad regime. While the Syrian people are trying to heal the wounds of the 14-year conflict, they are also carrying out a political transition under their own leadership to determine their future."
The statement stressed the importance of "continuing support for the steps taken by the Syrian government to integrate into the regional and international community, and its efforts to achieve security, stability, and prosperity in its country."
The statement noted that "Turkey has made extensive efforts to develop engagement and mutual understanding between regional states and the Syrian administration in the period following the overthrow of the regime," explaining that these efforts continue through contacts and meetings that have included relevant states, including the United States.
The statement emphasized that "the backbone of Turkish policy toward Syria is ensuring national reconciliation by preserving the country's unity and territorial integrity, establishing security and stability in the country by purging it of terrorist elements, and ensuring Syria's reconstruction by lifting sanctions."
He also declared Türkiye's "unconditional support for the Syrian administration and people to seize this historic opportunity to achieve their goals."
The statement continued: "When we look at the situation on the ground in Syria, we see that military activity in the south of the country has partially ceased. Efforts have been announced to integrate armed groups in the south into the new army. However, it is natural for occasional conflicts to occur as a result of the influence of incitement and provocation that arises from time to time."
He added, "One important development in this context is the United States' announcement that it will reduce its military presence, without announcing a specific timeline for the operation. At the same time, the European Union supports cooperation between Syria and Iraq in ensuring border security and combating terrorism."
Regarding the developments in the agreement between the Syrian government and the SDF, the front for the terrorist PKK/YPG, the statement pointed to the holding of a conference in the city of Qamishli on April 26, 2025, under the title "Kurdish Unity and Position," with the participation of the so-called "Syrian Kurdish National Council," formed by parties allied with the terrorist PYD. The conference carried messages that the Syrian administration confirmed were inconsistent with the agreement reached.
The statement said, "Protecting the unity and territorial integrity of Syria is a top priority for the Syrian administration, as it is for Turkey. Turkey seeks an environment in which the Syrian constitution and administration provide equal opportunities for all ethnic and religious groups in the country."
He continued, "Türkiye does not accept any attempt to prevent the establishment of a system that enables citizens in Syria to enjoy equal rights and freedoms based on constitutional guarantees, and where they can express their identities and beliefs without hesitation and in safety."
The statement emphasized that combating terrorist elements and separatist movements in Syria "is the primary responsibility of the Syrian administration," noting that Türkiye has provided "the necessary space to allow these problems to be addressed in the manner the Syrian administration prefers."
The statement explained that Turkey seeks to implement the agreement reached between the Syrian government and the SDF, "by preventing the terrorist organization's affiliates from becoming politically and militarily effective. At the same time, there are expectations that the terrorist PKK will respond positively to the call, lay down its weapons, and cease to be an obstacle to the return of normal life in the region."
The statement stressed that Turkey "does not accept any initiative that targets Syria's territorial integrity, undermines its sovereignty, allows individuals outside the central authority to bear arms in Syria, or guarantees the continuation of terrorist organizations." It continued, "If the terrorist PKK and its affiliates do not dissolve themselves in Syria, there is the will and the means to eliminate the terrorist organization by other means."
The statement explained that, as part of the fight against terrorism, a meeting was held in Amman on March 9, 2025, bringing together the foreign and defense ministers and intelligence chiefs of Syria and four neighboring countries. Turkey was represented by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Defense Minister Yaşar Güler, and Turkish Intelligence Chief Ibrahim Kalin.
At the aforementioned meeting, it was agreed to establish a joint operations center to combat terrorism, in support of existing international efforts. A further meeting is scheduled to be held in the coming period.
The statement indicated that Türkiye is open to addressing any issue that would serve bilateral cooperation with Syria, based on its security assessments and the threats in the region.
Regarding political developments in Syria, the statement indicated that appointments to the senior management of ministries would continue after the formation of the transitional government on March 29, 2025, dominated by technocrats.As stipulated in Syria's Constitutional Declaration, the president is to appoint one-third of the members of the People's Assembly, and the remaining members will be determined by committees established on a governorate-based basis and appointed by the president.
