Erdogan takes landmark step towards Syria
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) –Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday that there is a “need to take further steps with Syria,” in a reference to his intention to communicate with the Syrian government.
Erdogan told reporters during a return trip from Ukraine that the aim of coming closer towards Syria is to “foil plans in the region,” as he put it.
The Turkish president claimed that his country is committed to the territorial integrity of Syria, and that he has no ambitions there.
“We have always been part of the solution, and we have taken upon ourselves the responsibility towards Syria, and our goal is to preserve regional peace and protect our country against risks of threats resulting from the crisis,” he added.
Erdogan accused the US and the US-led coalition to Defeat ISIS of supporting terrorism in Syria.
“They supported and they continue to support terrorism,” he claimed.
Erdogan’s new statements come on the heels of other statements by Turkish officials, which talked about the possibility of a rapprochement between Turkey and Syria.
On August 6, the Turkish president said that Russia is demanded Turkey to open channels with the Syrian government.
However, so far the Syrian government has not officially responded to the Turkish statements.
These statements contradict Turkey’s practices on ground, as it continue supporting its affiliated armed Syrian opposition factions that fight against the government, and the Turkish forces continue targeting the government forces.
A Turkish airstrike targeted, few days ago, Syrian government posts, claiming lives of three soldiers and wounding six others in the countryside of Kobani, northeast Syria.