Syria Should Not Become Source of Greater Instability, Erdogan Tells Putin

Photo: Anadolu Agency

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasized that Syria should not become a source of greater instability in the region during a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, according to a statement from Türkiye’s Communications Directorate.

During the conversation, the leaders discussed bilateral ties, regional and global issued as well as latest developments in Syria, where anti-regime forces in a surprise offensive have taken over Aleppo and are advancing in other regions, The Caspian Post reports, citing Turkish media. 

Türkiye will continue to maintain its determined stance in fighting PKK terror group, its extensions who are trying to take advantage of the recent developments in Syria, Erdogan said.

Stressing that civilians must not be harmed in Syria, he said Ankara is exerting utmost efforts to restore calm in the neighboring country, where a civil war continues since 2011.

The Turkish president said Türkiye backs Syria's territorial integrity and works for a fair and lasting solution. He added that it is important to open more space for diplomacy in the region and that the Syrian regime must engage in a political settlement process.

Clashes broke out on Nov. 27 between Assad regime forces and anti-regime armed groups in the western countryside of Aleppo in northern Syria, marking a re-escalation of the fighting after a period of relative calm in the conflict that has gripped Syria since more than a decade.

In its 40-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK—listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US, and EU – has been responsible for the deaths of over 40,000 people, including women, children, infants, and the elderly. The YPG is PKK's Syrian offshoot.