ANKARA/ISTANBUL

Neither Türkiye nor Damascus would tolerate those who seek to stir up turmoil on Syrian soil, the Turkish president said on Tuesday.

“War barons investing in chaos will lose this time; Syrian people, including Arabs, Kurds, Turkmens, Alawites, Sunnis, and Christians, will prevail,” Recep Tayyip Erdogan told reporters on his way back from a visit to China, where he attended a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and met many world leaders.

“We want lasting prosperity and peace to be established in our neighbor Syria, and we attach importance to its unity and solidarity. Recent events have shown that unrest in Syria reflects most strongly upon us. We must recognize this,” said Erdogan.

“We want Syria to remain united and whole with all its colors. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and his administration share our view,” he added.

Erdogan said that, as in every region that has endured a long war, many want to create chaos in Syria, and this is why Türkiye will not abandon the country.

“We will continue to stand by them. God willing, no one will be able to prevent Syria from rising again,” said the president.

Whoever tries to undermine this process of Syria’s rebuilding will pay the price, Erdogan said, adding: “Wherever they may live, Kurds are our brothers and sisters. No one can divide us from one another. No one can ambush our eternal brotherhood. We are determined and resolute. Just as flesh cannot be separated from bone, neither can our brotherhood be separated.”

“With foresight, wisdom, and common sense, every problem can be solved. But without goodwill, even the simplest matters turn into tangled knots. We stand for the strengthening of peace and tranquility, and we will continue working toward that goal,” said the Turkish president.  

'Israel’s genocide will never be forgotten'

Responding to a question regarding US ban on visas for Palestinian delegation to the UN General Assembly, Erdogan said the US decision “does not align with raison d’être of the United Nations and should be reviewed without delay.”

“The UN General Assembly exists to discuss global issues and to produce solutions. The absence of the Palestinian delegation from the General Assembly serves only to please Israel,” he said.

The president said he wanted to discuss the content and the participants of the upcoming UN General Assembly with the Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, but they could find the time for such discussion.

I “would also like to hear the secretary-general’s thoughts on this, because these developments are not sudden,” he added.

Erdogan said “there are victims in Palestine, as well as those who watch this oppression with bleeding hearts. There are tens of thousands of oppressed, of afflicted people. We must take steps to protect their rights.”

He said Israeli attacks since Oct. 7, 2023 killed over 60,000 people and injured another 150,000, adding that “from time to time, the wounded are sent to our country, and we are fully mobilized on this matter.”

Erdogan said “Israel’s genocide will never be forgotten; compassionate mothers and fathers will never forget how babies, mothers, and fathers were massacred in Palestine.”

“Silencing Palestine’s voice is not right. It is impossible to suppress or silence this voice. What is expected from the United States is to say ‘stop’ to Israel’s massacres and oppressions,” he added.

Erdogan said the issue will likely dominate the UN General Assembly as some European countries are preparing to recognize Palestinian statehood.

“And surely, I will also be among those leaving a mark on it. Even if Palestinian officials are not present at the General Assembly, the voice of the oppressed Palestinians will resonate there,” he said.