Reports from international news agencies and government announcements

Trump Calls Assad a 'Butcher,' Says Turkey Behind 'Unfriendly Takeover' in Syria, Praises Erdogan

Dec 16, 2024, 05:28 PM

US President-elect Donald Trump has stated that Turkey is behind the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government, describing the event as an 'unfriendly takeover' by Turkey. Trump remarked that 'Turkey wanted Syria for thousands of years' and praised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as 'very smart' and 'very tough,' noting that he 'got along with Erdogan great.' He highlighted that Erdogan has built a 'very strong, powerful army' that has not been worn out by war. Trump called Assad a 'butcher' for his actions against children and suggested that 'Turkey holds the key to Syria's future.' He added that although no one knows the final outcome in Syria, he believes Turkey will emerge as the winner.