By Omer Koparan and Muhammed Enes Calli
COBANBEY, Syria /ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkmens in northern Syria on Saturday held a meeting to support the country’s territorial integrity and contribute to the efforts of the new government.
The meeting, held in the town of Cobanbey near the Türkiye-Syria border, was attended by Turkmen from Aleppo, Latakia, Damascus, Homs, Hama, Quneitra, and Raqqa regions.
Congratulating Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, President of the Turkmen Assembly Faisal Juma, said they gathered to ensure the future of the Turkmen people and find solutions to the issues facing their communities.
Emphasizing that they have never abandoned their identity, causes, and values in the land where they have lived for a thousand years, Juma said: "With the same spirit and belief, we continue our efforts to protect our presence in Syria, defend our people, and secure our future."
He also congratulated all Syrians on the occasion of the Assad regime’s fall and the country's recovery.
Bashar-al Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia on Dec. 8, ending the regime of the Baath Party, which had been in power since 1963.