The current US delegation’s go to to the Syrian capital, Damascus, to satisfy with the brand new administration, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), is “very significant,” Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan acknowledged, mentioning that previous to the US officers’ go to, European nations and international organizations had already met with the brand new administration.
“I think it is very significant. Before this visit, we’ve seen other European countries and international organizations visiting Damascus and contacting new administration there. I think it is important,” stated Fidan in an interview with France 24 channel within the Turkish capital Ankara.
Fidan stated he’s additionally planning to go to Damascus and meet with the new administration.
To a query why HTS remains to be on Türkiye’s record of terrorist organizations, Fidan stated that it’s on the record due to the UN’s designation of it as a terrorist group.
“We put them on the list because of UN listing, because we observe the UN Security Council decisions. So now we are having a unique situation where the legality and practicality are contradicting each other here,” Fidan added.
Stating that HTS has not been noticed as concerned in any terrorist actions within the final 10 years, Fidan stated that it is a level that has been recognized not solely by Türkiye but additionally by Western intelligence companies.
Fidan acknowledged that HTS has had good cooperation with Türkiye, particularly in intelligence sharing within the combat towards Daesh/ISIS, and that they’ve been very useful.
He additional acknowledged that as a result of sensitivity of the matter, they didn’t disclose this to the general public on the time.
“Over the years, they cooperated with us in providing intelligence on Daesh and al Qaeda-related organizations,” Fidan stated.
Fidan stated that HTS has additionally cooperated with Türkiye on even “high-level targets,” reminiscent of Daesh/ISIS’s former chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
– SYRIANS RETURNING TO SYRIA
Fidan stated that Ankara is working to create an surroundings the place Syrians can return to their nation safely.
“We are trying to work hard to create an environment in Syria where the refugees in Türkiye, as well as in other countries, can feel that voluntarily, safely, they can go back. We cannot dictate them, and we are not going to force them to go back,” he added.
He acknowledged that there could actually be a big improve in returns to Syria within the coming interval.
On Trump’s remarks concerning the autumn of Bashar al Assad in Syria, Fidan stated: “I think he was trying to compliment what had happened. But, we cannot characterize what happened in Syria as a takeover of Türkiye, contrary, if there is any takeover, it is a takeover of the will of the Syrian people.”
– RUSSIA’S MILITARY BASES IN SYRIA
On whether or not there was any settlement concerning Russian and Iranian withdrawals from Syria with out firing a single shot, Fidan stated that he wouldn’t name it an settlement.
Noting that Russian President Vladimir Putin, as a result of his years in energy, has remodeled “from a technical administrator to a good strategic thinker,” Fidan acknowledged that Putin is aware of “what is important, what is less important, what can be invested on, what is to be continued, what is not.”
“He has made his calculations and decided not to go ahead anymore,” he added.
However, Fidan stated that he doesn’t suppose Putin has deserted Assad, mentioning Assad’s fleeing to the Russian capital Moscow.
On Tehran’s help for Assad, Fidan acknowledged that Iran has “recalculated all the options” and has taken a “realistic approach.”
Fidan acknowledged that Ankara is just not in favor of any overseas navy bases in Syria, not simply the Russian ones.
“They shall leave. Well, it will be up to the Syrian people. But now, as we see, the Russians are now in the process of redeploying their units, and at the end of the process, we don’t know how much of them will continue to stay in Syria, in the bases,” he added.
Drawing consideration to the truth that the US has elevated its navy presence in Syria below the pretext of “fighting ISIS,” Fidan stated that “fighting ISIS” is all the time used as an “excuse.”
“The fight against ISIS there is only … to keep ISIS prisoners in prison. That’s it. And unfortunately, our American friends and some European friends are using a terrorist organization to keep other terrorists in prison,” he added.
Emphasizing that this was not the fitting determination, Fidan urged the US to succeed in a mutual understanding on points reminiscent of how Daesh/ISIS prisoners might be held, the dismantling of the PKK/YPG, and the way the fundamental rights and safety of Kurds, Arabs, and Turkmen might be ensured.
On Türkiye’s combat towards PKK/YPG terrorist organizations in northeastern Syria, Fidan stated that the YPG is an artificially created, organized terrorist group shaped by individuals from Türkiye, Iraq, Syria, and a few from Europe.
“I think this artificial terrorist organization should be disbanded immediately. First of all, now there is a new administration in Syria. I think they have to take care of their own business, because we are talking about territorial unity and sovereignty and integrity of Syria,” he added.
Fidan acknowledged that addressing this situation by the brand new administration in Syria is likely one of the paths they would favor, including: “This is the preferred way. I mean, if it doesn’t happen, we have to protect our own national security.”
“Whatever is necessary will be done,” Fidan stated.
Noting that the PKK/YPG ought to negotiate with Damascus to discover a resolution, Fidan stated: “Because now there is a new administration in Damascus, and the YPG, PKK don’t have Russia, Iran and regime alliance behind them.”
“YPG, PKK know what we want. We don’t want to see any form of military threat to ourselves, not the present one, but also the potential one,” he additional stated.
On the potential for a cease-fire in Gaza, Fidan stated that each one the related events that he spoke to are extra optimistic, and Türkiye can also be extra optimistic.
Stating that Israel and Hamas are getting nearer to an answer in Gaza in a “degree of reality,” Fidan stated that it’s nonetheless unknown how they’re near that.
“Close enough to really bridge the gap so that they can reach a cease-fire? We’ll see very soon,” he added.
Fidan additional stated that Hamas is certainly approaching it.
– CONCERN OVER ISRAEL-IRAN WAR
When requested if he’s involved a few struggle between Israel and Iran, Fidan replied: “Very much, very much.”
The overseas minister acknowledged that, for no matter motive, such a factor may occur, and that this risk exists.
“The only thing that I know is that the Iranians, they don’t want such a war. They would like to avoid any major confrontation. This is, you know, a direct information that I’ve had from our Iranian friends as a result of my meetings with them,” he additional stated.
Source: www.anews.com.tr