Federal structure in Syria nothing beyond pipe-dream: Turkish president

Istanbul

Calling Israel's attacks on Syrian territory, the attempt to undermine the positive climate that started with a new government in Damascus, Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Syria with a federal structure is nothing more than a “pipe dream” without place in reality.

“As for the question of a federal structure, it is nothing more than a pipe dream. It has no place in the reality of Syria. I advise them to make decisions which serve the stability of the region, rather than pursuing the dreams of a federal administration in Syria which would constitute a threat to the region,” Erdogan told journalists during his flight from Rome.

“What Israel is doing is a provocation, and it is unacceptable. We will express our response in various ways to any attempt to drag our neighbor Syria in a new quagmire of instability. Our concern is no more conflict in the region, but more peace and stability,” he added.

Syria's territorial integrity is “non -negotiable” for Türkiye, said Erdogan, adding that the Syrian government also acts in the same sensitivity.

“We will not authorize any facts accomplished in our region, and we will not authorize any initiative that threatens or endangers the sustainable stability of Syria and the regions,” he said.

Note that Syrian officials said that no authority that the Damascus administration, and no armed group other than the Syrian army will be accepted in Syria, Erdogan said that Ankara's approach to border security is also aligned with this.

“We will not authorize any structure imposed just beyond our borders other than a united and indivisible Syria. The wisest line of conduct is for all groups to work for unified Syria and to channel both their energy and their strength towards this objective,” said the Turkish president.

Türkiye, said Erdogan, supports inclusive dialogue among all Syrian groups and calmly contributes to peace, guided by its long -standing public tradition.

“We are a country that believes that many measures must be taken for the reconstruction and renewal of Syria. We share a border of 910 kilometers with Syria-it is not something that can be taken lightly,” he said.

Türkiye will continue to stand in Syria with all the means at its disposal, said Erdogan, noting that certain negative developments show that even greater prudence must be exercised.

Stressing that Israel works to spread conflicts, blood effusions and suffering in the region, President Erdogan said: “He gradually widens the wave of violence and aggression that started in Gaza and other Palestinian cities. The blood they overturned in Lebanon and the sufferings they inflicted on the Lebanese is clear.

“The biggest risk there (Syria) is already clear: terrorist organizations. And the Syrian administration already takes very safe measures to treat them.”

Gaza ceasefies

Erdogan said that without pressure from the United States, Israel does not intend to give a guarantee for a lasting cease-fire. In the Gaza Strip.

“Previously, the ceasefire and humanitarian aid were two problems closely linked to us. But now, hunger and poverty have reached such a critical level that there could be massive civilian victims among the Palestinians, even outside the direct conflict,” he said.

“So, although we have not changed our approach, we are now focusing on the opening of a humanitarian corridor alongside our calls to a ceasefire. Even if the parties continue their fights, it is essential that the civilian population is not detained hostage or deprived of their basic needs.”

Israel has killed more than 52,000 people in Gaza since October 2023. A ceasefire agreement entered into force in January, but Tel Aviv abandoned it in March, taking over the attacks. He has also blocked humanitarian aid in the enclave since March 2.

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