Syria’s armed groups should unite under single army: FM Fidan

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized the need for armed groups in Syria to unite under a single national army, ensuring that only one legitimate state body has the authority to carry weapons and use force.

Speaking to Saudi-based Asharq News, Fidan also outlined Türkiye’s expectations for Syria’s new administration and addressed regional cooperation efforts.

Call for unified national army in Syria

Fidan highlighted the importance of integrating armed groups into a single military framework.

“There are more than 80,000 armed individuals affiliated with groups close to Türkiye. Without hesitation, we told them to join the national army, become part of it, and prevent disorder in the country. I hope the same happens with the groups in the south, in Suwayda and Daraa,” Fidan added.

Fidan stressed that having multiple armed factions tied to various authorities would perpetuate the risk of civil war, which is unacceptable in a modern state.

Addressing terrorism and ethnic harmony

Fidan called for a balanced approach to deal with terrorist groups, protect Kurdish rights, and ensure stability.

“We need an equation where Daesh prisoners remain in prisons, the YPG ceases its terrorist activities, and Kurdish rights are protected. This equation is straightforward: the YPG must disarm, the new administration in Damascus should take control of prisons and camps immediately, and Türkiye is ready to support this process alongside other nations,” Fidan said.

Fidan reiterated Türkiye’s expectation that Syria’s new administration would not harbor threats such as Daesh or the PKK/YPG terrorist group while promoting equal rights for all ethnic and religious groups in the country.

The new government in Syria should no longer pose a threat to the region, there should be no tolerance for terrorism, especially from Daesh and PKK terrorist groups.

The minorities in the country should be treated well, an inclusive government should be established and the territorial integrity and political sovereignty of the country should be fully ensured.

We, the international community and the countries of the region, have agreed on these conditions and we have conveyed these demands to the Syrian government. Our message remains consistent, regardless of who delivers it.

This is what we expect from Syria. In fact, this is what we expected from the previous regime as well.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan

Türkiye’s regional and international engagement

Fidan emphasized the role of regional and international actors in Syria’s recovery, noting coordination efforts with Arab League nations, the Gulf countries, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the European Union, and the United States.

He also emphasized Türkiye’s collaboration with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Egypt, and Jordan in stabilizing Syria.

“Syria must no longer pose a threat to the region, terrorism must not be allowed, and minorities must be treated well under an inclusive government that ensures territorial integrity and political sovereignty,” Fidan stated.

Noting that the U.S. has lifted some of the sanctions against Syria and that the EU hopes to lift some in the coming days, Fidan said that Türkiye has established a coordination mechanism on how to immediately start delivering aid to support areas such as transportation, energy and health.

Türkiye’s position on Syrian refugees

Fidan reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to providing refuge to displaced Syrians while working toward conditions for voluntary returns.

“Our Syrian brothers are our guests here. It is not in our culture or state policy to tell them to leave. However, we are working to create conditions in Syria that would make their return possible, in coordination with the new administration and the international community,” Fidan stated.

American policy in Syria and problematic issues with Türkiye

Regarding the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump, Fidan noted that they will continue to work closely with the Trump administration at the highest level in the new period.

“We have long-standing relations with the American administration, but we do not think alike on every issue. There are issues where we differ, especially regional issues. But there is a course of action that adult, mature states should follow. That is, it is necessary to bracket the problematic issues and continue the good ones. For example, the American policy in Syria presents a significant point of contention.”

Reminding that this Syria policy started under former U.S. President Barack Obama, Fidan said: “While countries such as the U.S., Saudi Arabia and Türkiye were supporting the Syrian opposition from the very beginning, then the U.S. said, ‘I will not support the opposition, my job will be to fight against Daesh’ and changed the concept.

It unknowingly triggered a ton of geopolitical crises. it paved the way for another terrorist organization to rise. It used the PKK/PYD to fight Daesh and to keep Daesh prisoners in jail. We told America that this is wrong, we can do it in another way. It poses an enormous threat to Türkiye’s national security, and you know it.”

Stating that the PKK is also recognized as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and that a $5 million reward has been placed on the heads of PKK ringleaders for many years, Fidan said, “While there is such a reality, it is not a very good sign that you are doing such a job in Syria with the PKK’s extension. Obama said this was temporary. Then Trump came. Trump wanted to abolish it very sincerely several times, but some elements in the U.S. administration at the time resisted it.”

Fidan noted that since Trump saw that he was being “stalled” by the U.S. system on many issues, he appointed new cadres who would implement his will and instructions to the letter in the new period, and expressed that he hoped to reach the highest level of understanding on Syria, the fight against terrorism and the security of the countries in the region in the new period and that they would work for this.

‘Türkiye told groups close to Ankara to join the national army’

“There are groups close to Türkiye with more than 80,000 armed elements. We told them without thinking, go join the national army, be part of the national army and don’t allow any disorder in the country. I hope the same thing will happen with the groups in the south, in Suveyda and Daraa,” he said.

Fidan criticized Israeli actions in Syria, highlighting a shift in its stance. He noted that previously Israel justified its presence in Syria by the presence of Iran and Irani militias in the region but the rationale no longer holds. ” Israel’s launching a land invasion in Syria, advancing to certain points, bringing military elements here, opening bases here is of course considered a provocation,” he said.

Fidan pointed out that this approach of Israel is militarily and politically dangerous and emphasized that Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Türkiye and Iraq, especially the countries in the region, have opposed this and will continue to do so.