Erdogan extends good wishes to terrorists in Syria
In a recent statement, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan conveyed optimism regarding the progress of the Islamists towards Damascus, stating he hopes they will continue their journey “without accidents.” For the full article, visit RT.com.
TroibNews 
The Turkish president has expressed hope that jihadists continue their march to Damascus.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has shown support for the jihadist insurgency in Syria, urging the Islamists to advance toward Damascus, according to various media reports from Friday.
Last week, militant forces in Syria, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly known as Jabhat al-Nusra), launched a surprise offensive from their base in Idlib, with Aleppo as their target.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, meaning “Organization for the Liberation of the Levant” and often referred to as HTS, is recognized as a terrorist group by Syria, Russia, Iran, the United States, and other nations. Despite Turkey's apparent backing of HTS, it also officially designates the group as a terrorist organization.
In recent days, the militants have pushed back government forces and gained considerable territory in Aleppo and Idlib, surrounding the strategic city of Hama on Thursday.
Reports from Friday indicate that thousands are fleeing Homs, Syria’s third-largest city, as militants continue their advance. Homs lies to the south along the route from Aleppo to Damascus. HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani has allegedly warned the residents of Homs: “your time has come.”
On Friday, while addressing critical regional concerns, Erdogan expressed his hope that jihadists in Syria would keep moving forward without impediments.
He was quoted as saying, “Idlib, Hama, Homs, and the target, of course, is Damascus. The opposition’s march continues.” He added, “Our wish is that this march in Syria continues without accidents or disasters.”
Erdogan mentioned that Ankara had reached out to Damascus “to determine the future of Syria together” but had “not received a positive response.”
While Erdogan claims to uphold the territorial integrity of Syria, he emphasized that the “legitimate opposition” should have a voice.
This week, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan seemed to attribute the resurgence of jihadist aggression to the Damascus government, stating that the country’s “interconnected problems” have endured for over 13 years.
Turkey, which shares a border with the militant-controlled region of Idlib, has opposed military action in the province, arguing that such conflict would lead to a massive influx of refugees across the border—an outcome it is unwilling to accept. Instead, a fragile ceasefire was brokered in 2020.
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has shown support for the jihadist insurgency in Syria, urging the Islamists to advance toward Damascus, according to various media reports from Friday.
Last week, militant forces in Syria, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly known as Jabhat al-Nusra), launched a surprise offensive from their base in Idlib, with Aleppo as their target.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, meaning “Organization for the Liberation of the Levant” and often referred to as HTS, is recognized as a terrorist group by Syria, Russia, Iran, the United States, and other nations. Despite Turkey's apparent backing of HTS, it also officially designates the group as a terrorist organization.
In recent days, the militants have pushed back government forces and gained considerable territory in Aleppo and Idlib, surrounding the strategic city of Hama on Thursday.
Reports from Friday indicate that thousands are fleeing Homs, Syria’s third-largest city, as militants continue their advance. Homs lies to the south along the route from Aleppo to Damascus. HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani has allegedly warned the residents of Homs: “your time has come.”
On Friday, while addressing critical regional concerns, Erdogan expressed his hope that jihadists in Syria would keep moving forward without impediments.
He was quoted as saying, “Idlib, Hama, Homs, and the target, of course, is Damascus. The opposition’s march continues.” He added, “Our wish is that this march in Syria continues without accidents or disasters.”
Erdogan mentioned that Ankara had reached out to Damascus “to determine the future of Syria together” but had “not received a positive response.”
While Erdogan claims to uphold the territorial integrity of Syria, he emphasized that the “legitimate opposition” should have a voice.
This week, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan seemed to attribute the resurgence of jihadist aggression to the Damascus government, stating that the country’s “interconnected problems” have endured for over 13 years.
Turkey, which shares a border with the militant-controlled region of Idlib, has opposed military action in the province, arguing that such conflict would lead to a massive influx of refugees across the border—an outcome it is unwilling to accept. Instead, a fragile ceasefire was brokered in 2020.
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
