Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that some areas in Syria experiencing problems need management before normalizing relations between Turkey and Syria.

The Turkish minister questioned, “Why are there millions of Syrian refugees abroad? The government, which has issues with its people and opposition, has produced millions of refugees. More than three million came to Turkey, and five million live in areas where Turkey and its friends are active in Syria.”

During an interview with the Turkish Anadolu Agency today, Thursday, September 19, Fidan explained that if no system had been established in northwestern Syria, five million more people would have come to Turkey. He justified the presence of Turkish forces in northwestern Syria due to the presence of five million people in the area, noting that “some do not feel safe in their relationship with the regime.”

He also emphasized that Turkey’s concerns about further migration cannot be isolated unless this group establishes a relationship of peace and trust with the regime, “There is no regime that prevents more refugees from coming to Turkey voluntarily, given the current situation.”

Addressing the Syrian regime, he continued, “We always say what kind of regime will you establish with the opposition? How will you make peace with your people? With millions? This is the area that should be focused on.”

In the same context, Fidan noted that Turkey can easily discuss the issue of refugees and counter-terrorism and is certain of what it wants. He pointed out that Turkey is trying to prevent the problem from escalating, ensuring that there will not be more conflicts, that more people will not die, or turn into refugees, while continuing the fight against “terrorism.”

Turkish solution

In another context, the Turkish Foreign Minister stated that a third of Syria is occupied by the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), which Ankara sees as an extension of the US-backed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). He referred to the region’s wealth of natural resources that would greatly benefit Syria.

Fidan said, “I believe if there is a solution in the way Turkey wants, Syria will be able to solve all other issues more easily.”

According to what was mentioned by the BBC Türkçe network, Fidan held a meeting with former US Ambassador to Ankara, John Bass, and exchanged views on the potential Turkish normalization process with the Syrian regime, and on a solution that considers Turkey’s security concerns in Syria.

Turkey expects the United States to end its support for the People’s Protection Units, which Washington has seen as a local partner providing support in the fight against the Islamic State since 2015, while Turkey classifies these units as a “terrorist organization.”