Türkiye welcomes Syria ceasefire, urges lasting settlement

By Asiye Latife Yilmaz, Esra Tekin and Gizem Nisa Demir

ISTANBUL - Türkiye welcomed a ceasefire reached in Syria on Tuesday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday, expressing hope that it would lead to a permanent resolution without further bloodshed.

Speaking to his ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party at parliament, Erdogan said Ankara has “from the very beginning, most strongly defended” the preservation of a single Syrian state with full territorial integrity and political unity.

The Syrian presidency announced Tuesday that it reached an understanding with the YPG/SDF, granting the group a four-day period to work out a roadmap for the practical integration of Hasakah, during which a ceasefire would remain in effect. The YPG/SDF later said in a statement that it was fully committed to the ceasefire.

Erdogan warned that any attempt to resort to provocations in Syria from this point forward would “amount to suicide,” stressing that stability must be maintained.

He said full integration in Syria would “usher in a new era,” adding that the benefits of stability would be felt most by Syrian Kurds.

“We have no interest in the territory of any country and do not interfere in the internal affairs of any nation, but we will not allow our country’s interests to be compromised,” Erdogan said.

The Turkish president also said he discussed a range of issues with US President Donald Trump in a phone call, including matters “that will contribute to Syria’s security,” such as joint efforts to combat ISIS, also known as Daesh.