ISTANBUL

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Wednesday warned the YPG terror group to stop posing a threat to Türkiye and the region immediately.

"My call to the YPG is that they should immediately remove themselves as a threat to Türkiye and the region, along with the terrorists they have gathered from around the world," Fidan said during a joint press conference with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani in Ankara.

In response to a question on the PKK/YPG’s refusal to disarm, as well as the non-implementation of the March 10 agreement, he noted that the process in Syria is guided by goodwill and the protection of everyone’s rights, beliefs, and identities.

"This is a historic will that must be used," he said, noting the constructive efforts of US Ambassador to Ankara and Syria Special Envoy Tom Barrack.

"The YPG and its leadership must abandon their tactics of stalling for time. The turmoil they are waiting for will not happen—and even if it does, the outcome they desire will never come to pass," he concluded.

'We can no longer tolerate'

The foreign minister also criticized Israel’s role in the recent violence in Suwayda, Syria.

"One of the main actors behind this dark picture (of Suwayda events) has turned out to be Israel," he said.

Fidan underlined that Israel’s expansionist policies in the region also extend into Syria, and emphasized the importance of inclusive governance in the country.

Emphasizing Ankara’s intolerance for continued activity, he added: "At this point, we are beginning to see developments that we can no longer tolerate."

"We see that members of various groups coming from Türkiye, Iraq, Iran, and Europe have not left Syria. Neither after March 10 nor after the process underway in Türkiye have we seen any reassuring developments in Syria that would eliminate the armed threat," he said.

Fidan cautioned that recent unrest in Latakia and Suwayda, along with the YPG’s refusal to integrate into the system, shows the positive momentum could be difficult to sustain.

"This is a challenge that must be well-defined and analyzed so that solutions can be implemented in a peaceful manner," he said.

"On the contrary, the organization is biding its time—whether in Damascus or Ankara—to prolong its existence and maximize gains in the event of a possible crisis. They should not think we are unaware of this."

Further, Fidan affirmed that Türkiye is closely monitoring the situation and supporting ongoing efforts, while warning the PKK/YPG that the outcome they anticipate in Syria will not materialize.

"In an environment where Türkiye's security demands are not being met (in Syria), we have no chance to remain at ease here," Fidan warned.

Support for new Syrian administration

Fidan also noted that the new Syrian administration’s efforts to serve its people, restore state institutions, and safeguard Syria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty must receive continued support.

Welcoming his Syrian counterpart, along with Syrian Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra and Intelligence Chief Hussein Salameh, Fidan recalled his productive meetings in Damascus last week with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa.

"The dynamics of developments in Syria and the region compel us to meet frequently, and we are pleased to maintain this close cooperation," he said, expressing hope the process will continue.

He highlighted that on Dec. 8 last year, a new chapter opened in Syria, ending years of civil war, chaos, and bloodshed and offering hope to all Syrians and the wider region.

Since then, he said, exiled Syrians have been returning home, investments and infrastructure projects have begun, and sanctions have started to be lifted.

The new government, he added, is developing constructive relations with regional states and international actors.

Fidan also outlined Türkiye’s broader vision for Syria, stressing: "The new Syria should be a Syria where all peoples, beliefs, and cultures are preserved, and can live together. As Türkiye, we are making our recommendations in this direction.

Inclusivity and minority rights

Fidan called on all parties to contribute to Syria’s reconstruction and social cohesion.

"The rights, identities, and safety of the Druze must be protected. Alawites should not be blamed for the actions taken during the Assad era. Kurds must be respected for their historically suppressed identity and culture," he said.

The top priorities, he added, are ensuring the safety of the population, preserving territorial integrity and sovereignty, and restoring political institutions. While progress is visible, he noted: "We are still at the beginning of the road."

While working with Syrians on infrastructure, energy, economy, trade, education, culture, and tourism, Türkiye also supports high-level political dialogue, including the post-Suwayda talks in Amman involving the US, Jordan, Syria, and southern tribes.

Message to Israel

Fidan reiterated Türkiye’s advice to Israel, saying: "Your security does not depend on the weakness or chaos of your neighbors, but on their prosperity and stability. Every step taken to keep these countries weak, unstable, or under occupation risks triggering further crises in the region."

He said Türkiye engages in close consultations with the US, Europe, and regional partners to anticipate potential crises and issue warnings before they erupt.

Fidan accused certain actors, especially the current Israeli government, of playing a spoiler role.

"Actions undermining Syria’s stability, unity, and the welfare and security of its people must not be tolerated," he stressed.

Fidan said the Syrian administration is working diplomatically to overcome these challenges, and Türkiye will continue to support them.

"This is an achievable vision," he said. "The only ones opposing it are those who do not wish Syria or the region well. We must stand against them."

What has happened so far?

Since the fall of the Assad regime last December, Israel has targeted military installations, vehicles and ammunition sites in Syria multiple times. Recently, it intervened in Suwayda on the pretext of "protecting the minority Druze," which had clashes with Bedouin tribes, and it also struck Damascus.

Suwayda has observed a ceasefire since July 19, following a week of armed clashes between Druze groups and Bedouin tribes and Israeli military attacks.

Syria’s transitional administration, formed after the ouster of Bashar al-Assad in late 2024, is working to restore stability across the country after nearly 25 years of authoritarian rule.

On March 10, the Syrian presidency announced the signing of an agreement for the integration of SDF (Syrian Democratic Forces) into state institutions, reaffirming the country's territorial unity and rejecting any attempts at division.

The SDF is dominated by the terrorist group YPG, the Syrian branch of the terrorist PKK.