Striking statements from Hakan Fidan regarding the Damascus meeting: What did he discuss with Jolani?

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has made significant statements regarding contacts with the new Damascus administration in Syria.

Sharing details of his meeting with HTS leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani (Ahmad al-Shara), Fidan drew attention to two critical issues.

Fidan stated the following:

Turkey's expectations regarding Syrian refugees and the termination of the PKK/YPG's presence in the region.

Stating that Turkey's recommendations were addressed during consultations with Jolani, Fidan said, "We have seen that the new administration in Damascus possesses the necessary power to end the presence of the terrorist organization PKK in Syria. We have presented our suggestions on how this process should proceed."

ULTIMATUM TO PKK/YPG

Emphasizing that military action would be inevitable if the PKK/YPG does not step back despite ultimatums, Fidan said, "The Damascus administration is seeking a solution by talking to terrorist elements. However, we have issued our ultimatum both through international channels and direct statements. If this process does not yield results, what is necessary will be done."

SYRIAN REFUGEES

Reminding that Turkey hosts approximately 3.5 million Syrians, Fidan noted that the situation of these people and the processes for their return were also discussed during the meeting.

Hakan Fidan said, "Turkey's expectations are clear. The new administration must ensure the safety of minorities and refugees in the region, protect the country's territorial integrity, and not allow terrorism to pass."

Fidan stated that intense diplomatic traffic was conducted before the contacts in Damascus, adding, "As the Arab world, Western countries, and Turkey, we have developed a common discourse. We carried this discourse to Damascus and conveyed that we expect the new administration to fulfill these demands. Jolani also approached these expectations positively."