
Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan announced that the Turkish Embassy in Damascus will reopen after 12 years as of December 14, 2023. Fidan shared developments regarding the embassy in his statements on NTV live broadcast on December 13. He stated that the necessary preparations for the reopening of the Turkish Embassy in Damascus have been completed and that all teams, including our Ambassador, have started their duties. Fidan also emphasized that steps will continue to be taken for the benefit of the Syrian people, and expressed that Turkey always thinks about the well-being of the Syrian people. This important step aims to further strengthen Turkey's relations with Syria and ensure stability in the region.
Developments in Syria and Turkey's Role
Foreign Minister Fidan also made important assessments regarding Turkey's recent developments in Syria. Fidan stated that Turkey's decisions regarding the fight against terrorism in Syria were made correctly and on time, and that Turkey was following the right strategy, despite reaching pessimistic points during this process. He stated that the policies Turkey was following, especially in Idlib and other parts of Syria, were beneficial in the long term. He also stated that Turkey had an optimistic perspective regarding the future of Syria and that steps were being taken to ensure a better life for the Syrian people.
The Collapse of the Syrian Regime at the Doha Forum
Fidan also made statements at the Doha Forum regarding the collapse of the Syrian regime. Stating that the Syrian regime has been in a weak position for the last 2-3 years, Fidan stated that the intervention of Russia and Iran has had a great impact on this process. However, according to Fidan, Russia and Iran realized that the investments made to Bashar Assad were not reciprocating and concluded that the old conditions were no longer valid. This situation was a factor that accelerated the overthrow of the regime. Fidan stated that Turkey acted cautiously in this transition process and took care to ensure that the process was bloodless.
Türkiye-US Relations and the Situation in Syria
During US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Turkey, Turkey-US relations and recent developments in Syria were also discussed. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan emphasized that Turkey will take preventive measures against terrorist organizations, especially PKK/PYD/YPG and ISIS, in order to ensure its national security. Erdoğan stated that Turkey is the country that is most effectively fighting ISIS and that they will never allow these terrorist organizations to turn their presence in Syria into an opportunity. It was stated that Turkey will continue to take a determined stance against these terrorist groups.
The reopening of the Turkish Embassy in Damascus marks an important turning point in Turkey's relations with Syria. Turkey is closely monitoring developments in Syria and taking steps to ensure stability in the region and provide a better life for the Syrian people. In addition, Turkey's determined fight against terrorist organizations in Syria and the importance it attaches to national security are underlined. These developments indicate that Turkey has increased its influence in the region and that an important step has been taken in its relations with global powers.