UPDATES WITH MORE DETAILS, REVISES LEDE
By Serdar Dincel and Seyit Kurt
ISTANBUL (AA) - Türkiye's president said Monday that the era of terrorism in the region is over, stressing that the requirements of new ceasefire and full integration agreements in Syria must be fulfilled and miscalculations avoided.
Syrians appear pleased with Sunday’s agreement, except for a handful of proxies seeking to set up a "state within a state," Recep Tayyip Erdogan said after a Cabinet meeting in the capital Ankara.
Erdogan said he told Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa that Ankara will continue to stand by Damascus in the fight against terrorism, adding: "We will not abandon the Syrian people."
Türkiye believes a unified and territorially intact Syria is vital for regional prosperity, he stressed, adding: "Syria belongs to the Syrians."
Ankara is a brother, a neighbor, and a friend to the Syrian people in times of need, Erdogan added, noting that Syria belongs to the Syrian people in all their various religious and ethnic groups, including Arabs, Turkmens, Kurds, Alawites, Sunnis, and Druzes.
"To ensure that the suffering faced a century ago is not repeated, we will not fall into the traps set before us and will not give in to provocations," he underscored.
“The principle of one state and one army is essential for stability,” Erdogan said. “Türkiye fully supports every step that strengthens this principle.”
On Sunday evening, Sharaa announced a ceasefire and an agreement for the full integration of the terrorist group YPG/SDF into state institutions.
The announcement followed a Syrian Army operation regaining wide areas in eastern and northeastern Syria after repeated SDF violations of agreements signed with Damascus nearly a year ago.
Erdogan praised the Syrian army for conducting the operation with “surgical precision,” emphasizing efforts to prevent civilian harm despite provocations.
“The Syrian government resolved a highly sensitive issue by prioritizing negotiation and avoiding actions that could undermine its legitimate position,” he said.
- Global instability and diplomacy
Erdogan said global conflicts were deepening even as new crises continue to emerge, noting that the Russia-Ukraine war is approaching its fifth year, with no clear roadmap toward peace despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.
He also pointed to rising tensions in Iran following Israeli attacks last year, while warning of attempts to destabilize societies through street violence.
“We are closely following scenarios that seek to shape developments through the streets,” he said. “By prioritizing dialogue and diplomacy, we believe our Iranian brothers will overcome this trap-filled period.”
“Türkiye will continue to oppose any initiative that risks dragging our region into further uncertainty,” Erdogan added, emphasizing Ankara’s principled and consistent foreign policy stance.
Calling for dialogue, he said all disputes needed to be resolved through negotiation based on mutual trust, adding that Türkiye stands ready to do its part to help de-escalate tensions.
- Rejection of racism and sectarianism
Erdogan said Türkiye has consistently rejected racism and discrimination on an ethnic or sectarian basis, describing sucha attitudes as incompatible with the country’s historical and civilizational values.
“Racism and ethnic chauvinism are diseases rejected by our civilization and belief system,” he said, stressing that Türkiye is not opposed to any ethnic identity or religious sect.
He underlined that peace and prosperity in the region have historically been achieved when different communities stood together, while division has always led to loss and suffering.
Erdogan reiterated Türkiye’s goal to permanently rid both the country and its region of terrorism through unity, solidarity, and a principled approach.
“First our country, and then our region, will be freed forever from the bloody grip of terrorism,” he said.
Ankara seeks an end to conflicts and bloodshed in its region, where resources can be used for the welfare of peoples rather than fueling wars, he stressed.