UPDATE - Türkiye will never allow terrorist groups to take advantage of situation in Syria: Foreign minister

ADDS COMMENTS FROM BLINKEN

By Mehmet Sah Yilmaz and Yasin Gungor

ANKARA/ISTANBUL (AA) - Türkiye will never allow terrorist groups to take advantage of the situation in Syria, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told his US counterpart Monday.

Fidan discussed the latest developments in Syria in a phone call with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, according to Foreign Ministry sources.

He stressed the importance of Syria's territorial integrity and political unity.

Noting that it is important for the international community to support the Syrian people in rebuilding the infrastructure that has been neglected for years, Fidan said efforts should be made to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid to Syria.

- 'Inclusive, Syrian-led process'

The two top diplomats also discussed the need for a peaceful transition of power through an "inclusive, Syrian-led process in the spirit of UN Security Council Resolution 2254," said the US State Department.

Blinken highlighted the importance of respecting human rights, protecting vulnerable groups and upholding humanitarian law in Syria. He also reaffirmed the US’s commitment to defeat the Daesh/ISIS terror group.

He also expressed his condolences over the deaths of six Turkish soldiers Monday in a military helicopter crash in Türkiye’s southwestern province of Isparta.

On Nov. 27, Syrian opposition forces launched a 10-day lightning offensive, capturing key cities, and then on Dec. 8 the capital Damascus. The rapid advance, supported by defecting military units, led to the collapse of the Assad regime after 13 years of civil war.

Assad and his family fled to Moscow, where Russia granted them asylum.