Trump: Turkey 'Holds the Key' to Syria After 'Unfriendly Takeover'; Praises Erdogan's Strong Army

Dec 16, 2024, 05:48 PM

President-elect Donald Trump praised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as 'very smart' and 'very tough,' noting that Erdogan is somebody he 'got along with great.' Trump stated that Turkey is behind the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, describing it as an 'unfriendly takeover without a lot of lives being lost.' He emphasized that Turkey has 'not been worn out with war' and has built a 'very strong, powerful army.' Trump suggested that Turkey will 'hold the key' to what happens in Syria, adding that 'they've wanted Syria for thousands of years and now he got it.' He also mentioned that Turkey controls the rebels who took over from Assad and characterized Assad as 'a butcher' for his actions against children.