Official statements from the Turkish government or verified reports from international news agencies

Turkey to Support Syrian Minorities, Demands New Government Control ISIS Camps and Militants Leave

Jan 2, 2025, 03:26 PM

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, during a joint press conference with his Belgian counterpart Bernard Quintin in Ankara, outlined Turkey's stance on the situation in Syria. Fidan emphasized that Turkey will continue to support and protect minorities in Syria, stating that Ankara will be the protector of any aggrieved group in the country's new era. He also called for the new Syrian government to take control of detention camps holding ISIS members and for foreign ISIS fighters to be handed over to their countries of origin. Additionally, Fidan rejected the use of PKK/YPG as guards for these camps, demanding that both foreign ISIS and PKK/YPG militants leave Syria. Turkey's Ministry of National Defense reiterated its commitment to supporting Syria's transition process, focusing on regional stability and counterterrorism, and stressed that there is no place for terrorist organizations in Syria in the new period.