Turkey intends to exercise significant supervision over the fragmented political and social landscape of Syria by playing a “protective role” towards all ethnic groups and minorities present on Syrian territory, despite being a nation seen as part of existing tensions, particularly following the fall of Bashar Al-Assad’s regime and its persecution of Kurdish activists.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidansaid at a press conference: “Whether you are a majority or a minority in Syria, whoever you are, Nusayris, Alevis, Yazidis, Christians, whoever, Turkey is your protector and guardian as it is for everyone in this new period.”
Turkey’s foreign minister said Thursday that Ankara was ready to protect all “aggrieved groups” in Syria.
“Whether they are the majority or the minority in Syria, whether they are Nusayris, Alevis, Yazidis, Christians or others, Turkey is their protector and their guardian as it is for everyone in this new period,” said Hakan Fidan during a joint press conference he held in Ankara with his Belgian counterpart, Bernard Quintin.
He said that during the Assad regime’s oppression, millions of Sunni Arabs were displaced, along with ethnic Turks, and had to take refuge in other countries.
-Fidan highlighted Syria’s role under the regime of Bashar Al-Assad, which welcomed three million Syrian refugees, and its intention to ensure the best possible conditions for their return to their country of origin.
“We are doing everything we can to ensure that they do not suffer any harm in Syria. The new Syrian leaders are also very sensitive to this issue,” added the head of Turkish diplomacy.
He also reiterated Ankara’s intentions to support Syria by supporting its security, territorial integrity and reconstruction efforts.
“We hope and expect the Syrian people to quickly build their future,” Fidan stressed.
