Erdogan supports rebel advances in Syria, criticizes Assad's inaction

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his support on Friday for the continued advance of Syrian rebels, stating that their ultimate goal is Damascus, the Syrian capital.

“So far, Idlib, Hama, and Homs, and of course, the objective is Damascus: the advance of the opposition continues. We hope this progress continues without incident,” said Erdogan, who has maintained close ties with the Syrian opposition.

Erdogan also addressed his strained relations with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, with whom he had previously attempted to initiate a reconciliation process under Russian mediation. Erdogan acknowledged Assad’s lack of a “positive response” to his overtures.

“I told him, ‘Come, let’s meet to discuss Syria’s future together.’ But I never received a positive response from Assad,” Erdogan remarked.

This statement underscores the ongoing diplomatic rift between the Turkish leader and Assad, despite previous efforts to find common ground on the Syrian conflict.

Turkey shares a 900-kilometer border with Syria and hosts nearly three million Syrian refugees, a significant factor in Turkey’s domestic political landscape. Erdogan’s remarks highlight Turkey’s active involvement in the Syrian conflict, both through its support of opposition forces and its management of the humanitarian crisis.

As the situation in Syria remains volatile, Erdogan’s comments reflect Turkey’s continued influence and vested interests in the outcome of the conflict.