Davutoğlu: Assad is paying the price for his arrogant responses to Erdoğan

Gelecek Party Chairman Ahmet Davutoğlu was a guest on journalist Cüneyt Özdemir's YouTube broadcast. He made striking statements regarding the latest developments in Syria and events that took place during his time as prime minister.

"ASSAD SHOULD HAVE REACHED AN AGREEMENT WITH TURKEY"

Blaming Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for what has transpired, Davutoğlu said, "Assad gave arrogant responses to the calls made by Erdoğan, saying, 'You withdraw from Syria, and then we will talk.' Now he is paying the price for those arrogant responses. If Assad had reached an agreement with Turkey and pursued a path to a solution, he could still be maintaining his effective position in Damascus right now."

"A DIPLOMATIC INITIATIVE MUST BE DEVELOPED IMMEDIATELY"

Stating that the "new situation must be read correctly," Davutoğlu said, "My advice to my friends in Ankara is that a diplomatic initiative must be developed immediately. A new transitional administration, which also includes reasonable elements from the regime, should be established after Assad leaves," he said.

"I CANNOT PASS JUDGMENT ON HTS"

Regarding the terrorist organization HTS, Davutoğlu said, "The US has declared HTS a terrorist organization, and therefore we have as well. Well, it is on the terror list linked to the PKK. So why is the US cooperating with them there? Turkey should make contact with every group that acts in line with its own interests and acts alongside it," he said.

"I DO NOT KNOW THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE SNA AND HTS"

Following these remarks by Davutoğlu, Cüneyt Özdemir asked the Gelecek Party Chairman, "Do you not see HTS as a terrorist organization?" Davutoğlu replied, "I do not have state intelligence at my disposal right now. I do not know what the relationship is between the Syrian National Army and HTS on the ground. I do not want to pass judgment."

Davutoğlu then concluded his speech by saying: "The issue is not to defend HTS. I do not know if Turkey is working with them. Therefore, I cannot pass judgment."

News Source: 12punto