Türkiye’s foreign minister stresses urgency of rebuilding Syria amid crisis

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has called for urgent action to address Syria’s humanitarian crisis, emphasizing the importance of rebuilding the country’s institutions, restoring public services, and facilitating the return of refugees. His remarks, made in an interview with Al Jazeera on Wednesday, outline Ankara’s priorities in the ongoing effort to stabilize Syria after years of conflict.

“The urgent needs of the Syrian people cannot be delayed anymore, because we’ve got to get all the refugees back to Syria,” Fidan said, highlighting the deteriorating conditions in the country. He pointed to the collapse of public services, including healthcare, transportation, and education, as critical barriers to the return of displaced Syrians.

“What we are seeing in Syria today is the breakdown of a functioning state, where even basic services like health care and education have been disrupted,” he added.

Fidan also called for a comprehensive effort to rebuild Syria’s shattered infrastructure, describing hospitals, schools, and transport systems as being in ruins. “Without restoring these, we cannot expect normalcy to return for the Syrian people,” he said.

He urged regional actors to support Syria’s new administration constructively, stressing the importance of solidarity over division. “What Syria needs now is solidarity and pragmatic solutions, not further fragmentation,” Fidan said.

Fidan reiterated Türkiye’s goals in Syria, including preventing mass migration and combating terrorism. He expressed optimism about recent progress but cautioned that continued cooperation among international stakeholders is essential.

“We are in active discussions with all parties, including Iran, Russia and Western partners, to find a comprehensive political solution to Syria’s crisis,” Fidan said, reaffirming Türkiye’s commitment to preserving Syria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

As part of Ankara’s vision for Syria’s future, Fidan highlighted efforts to unify opposition groups and support the rebuilding of governance structures. “We are making constructive efforts for all opposition groups to come together and form a unified government,” he noted.

Fidan concluded by emphasizing Türkiye’s ultimate goal: peace, stability, and the safe return of refugees. “We are not there to impose any vision. We are there to support the Syrian people in reclaiming their future,” he said.