UPDATE- Turkish defense minister calls for global support for 'historic process' in Syria

​​​​​​​UPDATES WITH MORE REMARKS BY TURKISH DEFENSE MINISTER YASAR GULER

By Yasin Gungor and Muhammed Enes Calli

ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkish National Defense Minister Yasar Guler on Friday urged the international community to support the "historic process" unfolding in Syria.

"The international community must support this historic process that opens an important window of opportunity in Syria," Guler told lawmakers in the capital Ankara.

Drawing attention to the emergence of a new process in Syria, Guler expressed his belief that full security and stability would be established through an inclusive political solution.

Guler said the necessary measures were being taken by the units in operational areas to maintain security and stability, and close cooperation and coordination were continuing.

“As a result of the successful operations carried out by the Syrian National Army in the Tel Rifaat, southern al-Bab and Manbij line, the terrorist organization has been forced to withdraw from these areas," he said. “I want to emphasize once again that we will never allow the PKK/YPG terrorist organization to exploit instability on the ground.”

He asserted that Israel, with its attacks in Syria, is escalating tensions and sowing instability in the region.

Guler said the world must not remain silent on Tel Aviv's actions, describing them as "the clearest reflection of an occupying mindset."

“As Türkiye, we firmly support the territorial integrity of Syria, Lebanon and Palestine, emphasizing above all the urgent need to end the humanitarian disgrace in Gaza and establish a lasting ceasefire in the region," he said.

“In this process, while delivering necessary aid to Gaza and Lebanon, we are shaping our defense and security policies based on developments in the region and taking all necessary measures," he added.

The Israeli army captured the buffer zone in Syria’s occupied Golan Heights on Sunday, shortly after Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu announced the collapse of a UN-monitored disengagement agreement with Damascus.

Immediately following the fall of the Assad regime on Dec. 8, the Israeli army captured the buffer zone in Syria’s occupied Golan Heights, shortly after Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu announced the collapse of a UN-monitored disengagement agreement with Damascus.

The Israeli army mounted hundreds of airstrikes against military bases, air defense stations, and intelligence headquarters, as well as long- and short-range missile depots and unconventional weapon stockpiles across Syria.

Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia after anti-regime groups took control of Damascus, ending the Baath Party regime, which had been in power in Syria since 1963.

- Dialogue process between Greece, Türkiye resumes

Touching on activities in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean, Guler emphasized that Türkiye is protecting its rights and interests in the region at the highest level.

Türkiye has adopted a peaceful approach to resolving long-standing issues with Greece and has made significant efforts to transform the Aegean Sea into a sea of friendship and peace, he said.

Recently, tensions between the two countries have significantly decreased, and the dialogue process has resumed as part of mutual confidence-building measures, said Gule.

“In this context, meetings and visits between our military delegations are being conducted in line with the spirit of the process," he said.

Türkiye provides all kinds of support to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and vigorously defends the rights of its Turkish Cypriots, he added.

Emphasizing that Türkiye always stands by Azerbaijan for its stability, Güler said: "Our greatest wish is for an agreement to be reached as soon as possible between Azerbaijan and Armenia to establish lasting peace in the Caucasus."