Ankara, Jan. 22 (SANA) Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuşsaid on Wednesday that stability in Syria is essential to regional security, expressing hope that the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces organization (SDF) can reach a peaceful understanding.
In an interview with Al Jazeera TV, Kurtulmuşsaid Turkey is directly affected by instability in Syria and stressed that the “current window of opportunity” for the SDF to engage constructively in the political process should be seized to restore security across all Syrian territory and prevent the country from becoming a safe haven for terrorist organizations.
Kurtulmuşunderscored the importance of peaceful coexistence among Syria’s diverse ethnic and religious communities, as well as the rebuilding of state institutions, calling both essential to restoring stability in Syria and the wider region.
He rejected claims that Turkey’s position toward the SDF is rooted in opposition to Kurds, describing such assertions as “a grave mistake.” He said Ankara supports the peaceful integration of Kurds in Syria and the protection of their rights, noting that Kurdish citizens’ rights are protected within Turkey.
Meanwhile, Syria’s Ministry of Defense said the SDF violated a newly declared ceasefire by targeting Syrian Arab Army positions more than 35 times on the first day of the truce, resulting in the martyrdom of 11 soldiers and wounding more than 25 others.
The ceasefire was announced following an understanding between the Syrian government and the SDF on the future of Hasakah Province.
