UPDATE 2- Israel's growing aggression aims to undermine Syrian revolution, suppress people's hopes: Turkish President Erdogan

UPDATES WITH MORE REMARKS BY PRESIDENT

By Esra Tekin

ISTANBUL (AA) - Behind Israel's growing aggression is an apparent attempt to overshadow the revolution in Syria and suppress Syrians' hopes, said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday.

“Even if Israel is acting opportunistically, sooner or later it will have to withdraw from the lands it occupies,” Erdogan said in an address to the nation after the last Cabinet meeting of the year in the capital Ankara, speaking of Israel's recent illegal incursion into Syria.

Erdogan warned that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s path, “whose hands are stained with the blood of 50,000 innocent Gazans” is not the right one.

“By spilling more blood, taking more lives, and occupying and invading more land, the only outcome will be greater insecurity and unrest. If there is any statecraft in Israel, the sooner they realize this, the better it will be,” he said.

Türkiye has stood on right side of history since the very beginning of Syrian crisis in 2011, Erdogan said.​​​​​​​

The Syrian revolution has refocused global attention on the country, said Erdogan, adding that as its “neighbor and brother” Türkiye is best suited to grasp its new phase.

"We are all proudly following the names of those who have taken on roles in the new administration. Every time we see our brothers, who have been educated in Türkiye and have a heartfelt connection with our people, in various positions, we thank our Lord once again,” he added.

Stressing Türkiye’s unwavering support for protecting Syria’s territorial integrity and unitary structure, Erdogan said: “We will never back down on this.”

Stating that first the head of Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization visited the leader of Syria’s new administration, Erdogan said after this visit Türkiye’s Embassy in Damascus quickly resumed operations.

On Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s visit to the interim government in Syria, Erdogan described his meeting between Ahmad al-Sharaa as “very warm.”

Erdogan underlined that Türkiye is in close dialogue with the leader of the Syrian revolution.

“I am confident that our Syrian brothers, who have put an end to the 61 years of Baath darkness, will rebuild their country through unity of hands and hearts.”

Stressing the importance of a stable Syria, Erdogan said that if Syria finds peace, everyone in the region will be safer.

“For this, we must especially support the Syrian people in their efforts to recover and build capacity, working together as one,” he added.

Highlighting that the Arab world and Islamic community expectations from Syrians are in this direction as well, Erdogan said that Türkiye welcomed the “moderate messages” given by the new administration, calling “very valuable and meaningful."

Ankara will provide all necessary support to the Syrian people to “make their achievements permanent” after they triumphed over the “oppressive regime,” Erdogan said.

- 'The great embrace' of Turks, Kurds and Arabs

There is no place in Syria for any terror group, including Daesh/ISIS or the PKK – a group whose decades-long terrorist campaign against Türkiye killed some 40,000 people – Erdogan warned, adding that the terrorist PKK and its affiliates will either disband or be eliminated.

“Recently, we have seen that the Western countries, who had supported the separatist organization, are gradually cutting their support for these criminals,” he added.

Erdogan said that Ankara is determined to continue its counterterrorism operations in Syria with “surgical precision, ensuring no harm comes to civilians.”

"I can confidently say this: Time is running out for the PKK and its affiliates, the noose is tightening, and the end of the road is in sight. No matter whose coattails they cling to, no matter whose trigger they pull, no matter which foreign agenda they embrace, they should know very well that they cannot escape the painful fate that awaits them,” he added.

"We will undoubtedly remove these gangs of killers, who oppress our Kurdish brothers, abduct their children and send them to their deaths, and deny anyone other than themselves the right to life and a voice, from being a source of threat to our region,” he further added.

Erdogan said that Turks, Arabs and Kurds will come together for “a great embrace, after completely breaking down the walls of terrorism.”

Türkiye will establish an environment where peace, stability, prosperity, and development prevail throughout our region, one that is “not defined by conflicts but by brotherhood,” he added.

-Türkiye’s diplomatic efforts

President Erdogan said Türkiye has been working on a particularly intense agenda, especially in foreign policy, since the last Cabinet meeting.

Pointing to the Dec. 11 meeting between Somali President Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed hosted by Türkiye, Erdogan said: “We have now crossed another critical threshold in the Ankara process, which was launched eight months ago to resolve issues between the two friendly countries."

He underlined that the Horn of Africa region has long been associated with tensions, hunger, terrorist attacks, and the "divide and rule" policies of imperialist powers.

"We are well aware that these insidious scenarios are still in play. We believe the historic step taken with the Ankara Declaration will contribute to the establishment of lasting peace, tranquility, and stability in the Horn of Africa," Erdogan said.

On the recent visit to Türkiye of Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim, Erdogan said they discussed a wide range of issues, particularly the current situation in Syria.

"We will support Syria in its efforts to heal the wounds caused by 13 years of war, to recover and rebuild itself, both in terms of its state and its society,” he said.

On Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati's visit to Türkiye, which followed Israeli attacks on Lebanon, Erdogan said that it was "extremely valuable" for Türkiye.

"Prime Minister Mikati is carrying a heavy burden with great dignity during one of the most difficult periods in his country's history. I am fully confident that, with his resilient and farsighted leadership, Lebanon will reach safety. During this process, we will not betray the trust placed in our country or in me personally, and we will stand by Lebanon with all our resources,” he added.

On his recent meeting with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Erdogan said he told her that Türkiye needs a new vision to strengthen its perspective on gaining full EU membership.

"We will maintain close contact with the EU on regional issues as well,” said Erdogan.

On the Dec. 11 D-8 summit in Cairo, Erdogan said that the organization continues to move forward “with strong steps, representing three continents and a population exceeding 1 billion.”

“The organization has been further strengthened with the membership of our dear Azerbaijan,” he added.

Highlighting Egypt’s role in facilitating humanitarian aid to Gaza during the crisis, Erdogan praised Cairo’s efforts to deliver the humanitarian aid that had been sent from Türkiye to Gaza.

“The positive impact of the sincere dialogue developing between Türkiye and Egypt can be seen in many areas, particularly in trade and diplomacy. Moving forward, we will continue to coordinate with Egyptian authorities,” he added.