Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said in an interview with the Turkish NTV channel regarding the terrorist organization YPG/PKK that Turkey and the United States were in completely opposing positions regarding the organization.
He added: “This is an existential issue related to our national security, so we are a country that has taken this issue as seriously as possible.”
He added: “We have used operational tools on the ground and diplomatic tools on the table with all seriousness. Now our position remains the same without any change.”
He pointed out that the Syrian opposition has been fighting the regime for many years and has been subjected to injustice and unbelievable losses, but it has now regained Syria and of course they will take the necessary steps to ensure the safety of the country.
He added: “We believe that the YPG will no longer be able to find a large base in Syria as a result of the steps that the administration in Damascus will take to ensure its national and regional safety.”
He stressed that eliminating the terrorist organization “YPG” is a strategic goal for Ankara, saying: “In other words, either it dissolves itself or it is eliminated.”
He explained: “Of course, there are certain determinants and I think it would be useful to express them. First, although our means and capabilities are capable of eliminating the organization, we will first wait for the steps that our brothers in Syria will take to eliminate this threat by taking steps that ensure the safety of their lands and national unity.”
He added: “On the other hand, while eliminating the YPG, the Kurds who have been living in the ancient cities of the region for centuries should not be harmed, because the oppression that the organization has practiced against Arabs and Kurds is always clear as it imposes its control over them by keeping them under pressure.”
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He stressed, first and foremost, the need for the non-Syrian militants of the terrorist organization to leave Syrian territory as soon as possible.
He added: “In the second stage, the entire leadership level of the organization, including those Syrians, must leave the country.”
He pointed out the necessity for non-PKK elements to lay down their weapons and return to their normal lives in Syria in agreement with the new administration.
He pointed out that the West has made the YPG a guardian over the ISIS terrorist organization, noting the necessity for Western countries to hand over their citizens who are involved in ISIS.
He explained that the PKK is blackmailing Western countries through ISIS elements, which has led the Americans and Europeans to turn a blind eye to the organization and even to call on Turkey not to carry out operations against the YPG. He added: “But in reality, what the organization is doing is not fighting ISIS, but guarding ISIS detainees.”
He stressed that Syria has become an independent international player, and that it will not recognize the YPG terrorist organization.
In response to a question about the return of Syrian refugees, Fidan said: “We trust the common sense of our Syrian brothers and the new administration in Syria. Of course, everyone wants to return to their homeland where they belong, and as conditions improve there, I believe that the return process will increase.”
He added: “I believe that our Syrian brothers who have established a new life in Turkey will gradually change this way of life, not suddenly, and will take new steps towards establishing a different life again in Syria.”
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Fidan referred to the meeting scheduled to be held in Jordan on Saturday regarding Syria, in which he said that neighboring countries of Syria, countries in the region, European countries and the United States will participate, and during which the situation in Syria and the new administration will be discussed.
Regarding his meeting with his American counterpart Anthony Blinken in Ankara, he noted that he also discussed with him the necessity of implementing a ceasefire in Gaza as soon as possible.
He referred to several possible scenarios regarding Gaza with the assumption of power by President-elect Donald Trump in the United States.
He said: “There may be a positive scenario in which a ceasefire is implemented and humanitarian conditions begin to improve, and it is also possible that Israel will continue its expansionist policies and launch A new operation that also includes the West Bank.
He added: “There are indications that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants to increase his expansion if he receives the signal and support he wants from the Trump administration.”
Fidan stated: “We are now waiting for the results of the current ceasefire in Lebanon, despite the announcement of a 60-day ceasefire, Israel violates this ceasefire from time to time, and we will see if it will continue after 60 days.”
Fidan stressed that there must be “hope” in Gaza despite everything.
With American support, Israel has been committing genocide in Gaza since October 7, 2023, leaving more than 151,000 Palestinians dead and wounded, most of them children and women, and more than 11,000 missing amid massive destruction and famine that killed dozens of children and elderly people in one of the worst humanitarian disasters in the world.
