President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Wednesday that it was time for Syria to spend time on the welfare of its people, as he hailed a deal between Damascus and the U.S.-backed terrorist group YPG while speaking at a Justice and Development Party (AK Party) parliamentary group meeting in the capital Ankara.
Erdoğan said Türkiye was closely following the developments on the ground and warned that the current process should not be disrupted.
“We will not abandon our Syrian brothers and sisters until joy prevails in Hassakeh, Qamishli, Ain al-Arab,” he stressed, referring to Syrian provinces occupied by the terrorist group that Syrian security forces recently entered under the new deal.
He also stressed the need for cooperation among the country's diverse communities after decades of conflict, noting that the outlines of a long-term settlement are becoming clearer and cautioning parties against repeating past mistakes.
"The road map for lasting peace in Syria has been set; parties must avoid miscalculations, repeating past mistakes or poisoning the process with maximalist demands," said Erdoğan.
Highlighting the human cost of the war, Erdoğan added: "Every drop of blood shed breaks our hearts, regardless of whether it is Arab, Turkmen, Kurd, or Nusayri; every life lost in Syria feels like losing a part of ourselves."
He also called for a shift toward reconstruction and economic recovery. "It is time for Syria's resources and above- and below-ground wealth to be used for the prosperity of all sectors of society, not for digging tunnels under cities," he said.
Addressing regional concerns, Erdoğan rejected claims that Türkiye seeks dominance, saying: "Türkiye is not seeking influence in the region and has no desire to shape other countries; on the contrary, we sincerely seek fellowship."
He also welcomed what he described as shared sensitivities with Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan on Syria's future, saying Türkiye would work together with those countries to support stability in the country.
Reaffirming Ankara's long-standing position on the Syrian crisis, he stressed that violence only breeds further violence and warned against actions that could undermine emerging progress.
The president underlined the importance of implementing the Jan. 18 and Jan. 30 agreements on the basis of "one army, one state, one Syria," saying the framework for permanent peace and stability has become clearer.
He also said Türkiye had witnessed what he called sincere efforts by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to rebuild the country, noting that recent operations had generated both support for the new administration and high expectations among locals.
Erdoğan voiced confidence that the Syrian government would ensure broad political participation and rapidly implement an effective development plan, adding that Türkiye would continue closely monitoring developments in Syria, with which it shares its longest land border.
Erdoğan also said that during recent operations in Syria, he ordered the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), the Turkish Red Crescent and humanitarian groups to mobilize rapidly, sending truckloads of aid supplies, in coordination with the Syrian government, to Kurdish-populated areas in an initial phase.
