Top Turkish diplomat engages in discussions with leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham militants regarding the situation in Syria
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held talks with the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, in Damascus, the Syrian capital. During the meeting, Minister Fidan emphasized Turkiye's firm stance against the presence of terrorist organizations in Syria.
On Sunday, a meeting took place between Fidan and al-Jolani, occurring two weeks subsequent to the ousting of Bashar al-Assad’s government. This followed a significant military offensive led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its allied factions, who successfully seized control of major Syrian urban centers before advancing towards Damascus, culminating in the capital’s capture on December 8.
According to Russia’s Sputnik news agency, Fidan expressed optimism about a promising future for Syria, noting that discussions with al-Jolani centered on enhancing stability within the Arab nation and facilitating the repatriation of refugees.
The senior Turkish diplomat advocated for the creation of a new framework in Syria designed to support minority groups, emphasizing the need for a constitution that upholds the rights of all religious communities.
In light of the recent Israeli strikes in Syria after the downfall of Assad’s regime, Fidan called on the Syrian government to uphold the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, leader of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, referred to Turkey as a friendly nation and revealed that he held discussions about Syria’s future with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
The leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) emphasized that arms and weaponry should remain under the control of state authorities.
