Erdogan hails Assad regime’s fall, emphasizes Türkiye’s regional leadership
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan makes a speech during the 15th Ambassadors Conference at the Presidential Exhibition Hall in Ankara, Turkiye on December 10, 2024.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday voiced hope for a unified and inclusive future in Syria after the ouster of Bashar al-Assad’s Baathist regime, which ruled the country for decades. Erdogan expressed confidence that the new leadership would embrace all sectors of society, marking the end of what he described as a dark era.
“The tyrants lost, have been humiliated, and the oppressed have once again triumphed,” Erdogan said in Ankara, describing the collapse of the regime as a victory for the Syrian people. He added, “The evil that has been sustained in Syria for 61 years with blood and tears has now come to an end. God willing, the hardest period in this country is now behind us as of Sunday.”
Türkiye’s response to the Syrian conflict, Erdogan noted, has been defined by its commitment to humanitarian principles and justice. He highlighted the nation’s efforts to shelter Syrians fleeing violence and persecution, despite facing criticism and obstacles over the years. “The righteousness of [our] humanitarian policy, pursued with determination for 13 years, has been clearly confirmed,” he said.
Erdogan also condemned the conditions in Syrian prisons, calling them “human slaughterhouses.” The atrocities committed in these facilities, he argued, underline why Syrians distrusted Assad’s promises of amnesty and were reluctant to return to their homeland.
Türkiye’s broader regional role
The Turkish president also discussed Türkiye’s role in addressing regional security challenges, emphasizing the importance of Iraq’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. He pointed to joint efforts with Baghdad to combat the PKK terrorist group and outlined ambitions to strengthen regional infrastructure through the Development Path Project.
On the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Erdogan reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to maintaining neutrality while advocating for peace. “We have been focused on extinguishing the fire, not adding fuel to it,” he said, stressing the importance of a balanced approach as the war nears its third year.
Turning to the South Caucasus, Erdogan expressed optimism about a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia. He called the ongoing talks a “historic opportunity” following the liberation of Karabakh, a territory internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan. The region’s return to full Azerbaijani sovereignty in September 2023 came after years of conflict and a 2020 cease-fire brokered by Russia.
Erdogan’s remarks highlighted Türkiye’s pivotal role in shaping the post-Assad future in Syria and stabilizing its broader neighborhood. With his focus on diplomacy and reconstruction, Erdogan underscored Türkiye’s aspiration to lead in navigating the region’s evolving challenges.
