Türkiye’s Erdogan Criticizes Syria Over Normalization 

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrives to address media after the cabinet meeting at the Presidential Complex in Ankara on August 21, 2023. (AFP)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrives to address media after the cabinet meeting at the Presidential Complex in Ankara on August 21, 2023. (AFP)
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Türkiye’s Erdogan Criticizes Syria Over Normalization 

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrives to address media after the cabinet meeting at the Presidential Complex in Ankara on August 21, 2023. (AFP)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrives to address media after the cabinet meeting at the Presidential Complex in Ankara on August 21, 2023. (AFP)

President Recept Tayyip Erdogan said Syria was not taking a positive approach towards normalization with Türkiye, with President Bashar al-Assad watching from afar and not taking a role, Turkish media reported on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters on his plane returning from talks with Russia's Vladimir Putin, Erdogan was cited as saying normalization was possible if there was progress on the fight against terrorism, on the safe and voluntary return of refugees and on the political process.



Erdogan Says Türkiye in Close Dialogue with Syria’s Sharaa

A handout photo made available by the Turkish Presidential press office shows Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arriving for the opening session of the Organization of Eight Developing Countries (D-8) summit in Cairo, Egypt, 19 December 2024. (EPA/ Turkish Presidential Press Office handout)
A handout photo made available by the Turkish Presidential press office shows Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arriving for the opening session of the Organization of Eight Developing Countries (D-8) summit in Cairo, Egypt, 19 December 2024. (EPA/ Turkish Presidential Press Office handout)
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Erdogan Says Türkiye in Close Dialogue with Syria’s Sharaa

A handout photo made available by the Turkish Presidential press office shows Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arriving for the opening session of the Organization of Eight Developing Countries (D-8) summit in Cairo, Egypt, 19 December 2024. (EPA/ Turkish Presidential Press Office handout)
A handout photo made available by the Turkish Presidential press office shows Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arriving for the opening session of the Organization of Eight Developing Countries (D-8) summit in Cairo, Egypt, 19 December 2024. (EPA/ Turkish Presidential Press Office handout)

Türkiye is in close dialogue with Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday, adding visits to Syria will increase from now on.

Speaking after a cabinet meeting in Ankara, Erdogan said Türkiye would provide the Syrian people with all the support they needed to consolidate their gains.

"In the future of Syria and our region, there is no place for any terrorist organization, including ISIS and the PKK," he said, adding Türkiye’s unwavering line is to protect Syria's territorial integrity and unity under all circumstances.