Syria won’t be Afghanistan, but won’t be Norway either, says Turkish MP

Ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) MP Huseyin Yayman discussed recent developments in Syria, emphasizing that the country “will never become like Afghanistan, but it also won’t be Norway.”

He pointed to emerging leadership in Syria and the practical governance in areas like Idlib, underscoring a system in which women and children can attend school freely and diverse opinions are respected.

As neighboring Türkiye closely watches Syria’s trajectory, any form of oppression—regardless of sect—remains a critical issue for Turkish policymakers.

Details

• Emerging leadership: Yayman referenced newly installed Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, whose administration in Idlib, he said, has allowed women and children to attend school and safeguard personal freedoms.
• Avoiding extremes: While Syria will not devolve into an Afghanistan-like scenario, Yayman said it likewise cannot achieve the stability and prosperity of a country like Norway anytime soon.
• Türkiye’s stance: Yayman recalled that Türkiye consistently opposed the atrocities committed by the Assad regime, particularly against Sunni communities in Damascus and Aleppo. He affirmed that Ankara would also speak out against any oppression of Alawites or Druze if such abuses occurred in areas like Tartus, Latakia, or Dera.

Broader context

Türkiye’s concern over Syria’s future governance model highlights the importance of stability in a region that has witnessed years of conflict.

For Ankara, ensuring that no community is subjected to persecution remains paramount, as it directly affects regional security, refugee flows and diplomatic relations with the new Syrian leadership.