Ankara Sets Impossible Conditions to Hide Its Intention to Stay in Syria
Linking Turkish withdrawal to impossible conditions like a new constitution and free elections shows Ankara's effort to legitimize its long-term occupation
November 23, 2024, 7:54 pm

Ankara Sets Impossible Conditions to Hide Its Intention to Stay in Syria

هاكان فيدان

In his effort to entrench Turkish military presence in Syria, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan dismissed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's desire for peace.

Speaking during his ministry's 2025 budget discussion in the Turkish parliament's Planning and Budget Committee, Fidan revealed his country's plan to prolong its presence in Syrian territory under various pretexts.

Regarding Erdogan's invitation to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for a meeting to discuss normalizing relations between the two countries, Fidan indicated that the matter relates to political will, noting that Erdogan showed his intentions at the highest level, in an attempt to legitimize the Turkish presence.

Fidan added that "it is valuable for the leader of a democratic state (Erdogan) to make such statements," explaining that this step changed the rules of the game in the Syrian scene.

In his parliamentary speech, Fidan proposed impossible conditions for withdrawal from Syria that ensure Turkish forces' presence for years to come, such as adopting a new constitution, holding elections, and securing borders, adding that Assad's administration's position shows that "he does not want to return to peace."

He addressed Assad with additional conditions, saying: "Let free elections be held, and whoever comes to power as a result, we are ready to work with them," in a clear indication of Ankara's desire to change the Syrian regime before any potential withdrawal.

Fidan explained that Ankara's strategy in Syria is based on several pretexts to justify its military presence, including combating what he described as terrorist elements, ensuring Syrian territorial unity, pushing the political process forward, and facilitating Syrians' return to their country.

As part of Turkey's expansion policy, Fidan confirmed his country's position in confronting the "Kurdistan Workers' Party," pointing to Turkey's thwarting of the (Kurdish) "Self-Administration's" efforts to organize local elections in northeastern Syria.

It's worth noting that Turkey has controlled large areas in northern Syria since 2016 through successive military operations, and seeks to consolidate its influence by establishing permanent military bases and supporting loyal factions, despite repeated international demands for withdrawal and respect for Syrian sovereignty.

Levant-Agencies

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