Türkiye 'strongly' condemns all kinds of attacks targeting Syria's unity: President Erdogan

By Esra Tekin

ISTANBUL (AA) – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday said that Ankara “strongly” condemns all kinds of attacks targeting Syria’s integrity and social peace, as well as acts of terrorism and intimidation.

The current situation in Syria has been largely brought under control with the Syrian government forces' “effective intervention,” Erdogan said during his address to the nation, warning that the situation on the ground remains sensitive.

Ankara welcomes Syrian President al-Sharaa's moderate and calming statements, as well as his firm message that those who act outside the law will be punished, Erdogan said.

Türkiye is taking precautions to be sure that no development occurs against Türkiye, he added, urging Syria to quickly alleviate the tense atmosphere.

“We are not interested in anyone's ethnicity, religion, or sect in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, or any other countries in the region,” he said.

“When 1 million Syrians were massacred by the Baath regime,” Ankara stood where it stands today, standing firm, the president said.

On ties between Türkiye and EU countries amid growing concern over security, following US President Donald Trump’s remarks regarding NATO and the Russia-Ukraine war, Erdogan said that Ankara hopes its “European friends” understand "Türkiye’s new role" in reshaping the world.

Erdogan expressed the country’s desire to enhance relations with the EU in a perspective focused on the goal of full membership.

He further said that the global system, which claimed to be rule-based, is collapsing, adding: “Its founders are the ones dealing the strongest blows to the international order.”