Türkiye’s UN envoy urges not to legitimize terrorist groups in Syria

Türkiye’s envoy to the U.N. warned Monday that terrorist organizations in Syria should not be treated as “legitimate actors,” urging the preservation of Syria’s territorial integrity and political unity.

Humanitarian crisis in Syria worsens

Türkiye’s envoy to the United Nations, Ahmet Yildiz, addressed a U.N. Security Council meeting on Monday, emphasizing the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Syria. Yildiz described the situation as “catastrophic” and “worsening,” highlighting that 16.7 million people, over 70% of Syria’s population, require humanitarian assistance, with a quarter residing in the northwest of the country.

Türkiye will continue facilitating cross-border humanitarian aid in cooperation with the U.N.

Preserving Syria’s territorial integrity

Yildiz stressed the paramount importance of preserving Syria’s territorial integrity and political unity for the future stability of the country and the region.

He criticized the PKK, YPG, and SDF terrorist organizations for advancing separatist agendas in violation of Security Council Resolution 2254.

Yildiz called for international opposition to these groups’ attempts to conduct local elections in northeast Syria, labeling them as illegitimate actors committing human rights violations.

US involvement and legitimacy concerns

The relationship between the U.S. and the PKK/YPG continues to be contentious, with claims that the U.S. seeks to legitimize the group by renaming it the SDF.

The U.S. State Department acknowledged the postponement of the so-called elections organized by the PKK/YPG but did not condemn them as illegitimate. This has fueled allegations that the U.S. supports the establishment of an autonomous administration in northeast Syria, undermining Syria’s territorial integrity.

Path to a Syrian-led political process

Ahmet Yildiz emphasized that a Syrian-led political process requires the participation of the Syrian people and the creation of conditions for the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of refugees.

Türkiye remains committed to ensuring the observance of the ceasefire in the Idlib de-escalation area to prevent further displacement and supports the political process.