Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently made a statement expressing Turkey's desire for peace and tranquility in neighboring Syria, which has been embroiled in a civil conflict for 13 years. Erdogan emphasized that Turkey does not have any territorial ambitions in Syria and wishes for the country to achieve the peace it has long sought.
Addressing the situation in Syria, Erdogan highlighted the recent offensive by Syrian rebel factions in the northwest of the country, posing a significant challenge to President Bashar al-Assad's regime. The rebels have made advances towards the capital, Damascus, marking a notable escalation in the conflict.
Gaziantep, a city in southern Turkey near the Syrian border, is home to approximately 500,000 Syrian refugees out of the 12 million displaced by the war. Erdogan praised the hospitality of Gaziantep towards Syrian refugees and acknowledged the hardships they have endured.
Expressing concern over the civilian casualties in Idlib, Erdogan stated that the attacks on civilians were a catalyst for the recent developments in Syria. He condemned the use of chemical weapons and barrel bombs, attributing significant loss of life to the actions of the Syrian regime and terrorist groups.
Erdogan emphasized the need to recognize the new reality in Syria politically and diplomatically, urging all parties to acknowledge the evolving situation in the conflict-ridden country.
As Turkey continues to monitor the situation in Syria, Erdogan's message underscores the importance of seeking a peaceful resolution to the long-standing conflict and providing support to those affected by the crisis.
