Strengthening the terrorist group PKK under the guise of fighting Daesh/ISIS to serve other ends will not be allowed, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Monday, warning the Western world against supporting the separatist terrorist organization.
The terrorist PKK's empire of violence built over Kurdish people is on the verge of collapse, Fidan told a joint news conference in the capital Ankara with Ayman Safadi, his visiting Jordanian counterpart.
Fidan urged the terrorist group PKK/YPG to lay down its arms in Syria "as soon as possible." Syria's new leadership is calling on various armed groups in the country to lay down their arms or join the nation's armed forces.
In its 40-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK-listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US, and EU-has been responsible for the deaths of over 40,000 people, including women, children, infants and the elderly. The YPG is PKK's Syrian branch.
Turkish officials have long decried US support for the terrorist PKK/YPG under the pretext of fighting Daesh/ISIS, saying that using one terror group to fight another makes no sense.
Stating that the meeting addressed all key regional developments, with Syria at the forefront, Fidan said that Türkiye and Jordan affirmed their determination to coordinate on helping Syria.
He said the importance of lasting stability in Syria was underscored during the meeting, adding that it is crucial to "support the new administration at the international and regional levels" and to communicate the necessary views to Damascus on the provision of essential services and stability.
Stressing that there was consensus on standing "in full solidarity with the Syrian people and the new government," Fidan added that they also discussed the reconstruction of Syria, its development, and finding solutions to its core problems.
He underlined that since the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, there has been very close coordination with Safadi and Jordanian officials, and communication has been maintained with other regional partners as well as counterparts in Europe and the US.
Highlighting that the meeting also addressed possible steps against the terrorist group Daesh/ISIS, which still exerts influence in Syria and the region, Fidan warned of its potential to take advantage of the new environment in Syria.
The two also discussed joint steps that could be taken to counter this both tactically and strategically.
Fidan also said there was agreement on having other partners, particularly Iraq, join the discussion to address these same issues.
Fidan said developments in Iraq, which both Türkiye and Jordan border, were also discussed.
The terrorist group Daesh/ISIS is "a poison" for Muslim communities, he also warned.
"As long as organizations like Daesh/ISIS exist, they not only corrupt societies and states, but also pave the way for imperial powers to enter our lands, allowing other terrorist groups and intelligence agencies to infiltrate, find ground, and work in their favor, ultimately becoming a contractor serving everyone's interests," Fidan said.
Meetings between relevant government ministers from Jordan and Türkiye helps bring the two nations together, especially during times of crisis and extraordinary developments in the region, Fidan said.
Highlighting that developments in Iraq were also addressed, Fidan and Safadi also said bilateral and multilateral relations with Iraq should progress.
Fidan said the challenges of the temporary cease-fire in Lebanon and possible scenarios in light of it were also on the table.
He also underlined the importance of Gaza and the Palestinian issue, underlining Jordan's significant role and responsibilities, particularly regarding Al-Aqsa Mosque.
On the ongoing genocide by Israel in the region, especially in Gaza and the West Bank, Fidan stated that he and Safadi reviewed the situation.
He underscored the intense efforts and solidarity demonstrated over the past 18 months in the Gaza Contact Group on international platforms, emphasizing the joint efforts made with Jordan.
Fidan highlighted the strong state of bilateral relations with Jordan, pointing out various areas of cooperation ranging from the defense industry to trade.
He noted that the emergence of new opportunities, especially with alternative trade routes potentially gaining momentum in the new Syrian context, saying they could lead to significant economic prospects.
Fidan thanked Safadi for Jordan's contributions to bilateral ties and regional developments.
Safadi, for his part, said that anything that threatens Türkiye's security also threatens the security of the region.
Jordan is coordinating with Türkiye to help boost security and stability in the region in light of "challenges we face," he added.
Safadi stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation and coordination between the two countries to address regional challenges, including Syria's reconstruction and stability in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, Safadi thanked his Turkish counterpart for the productive discussions, which he described as comprehensive and constructive.
Highlighting the shared goals of Jordan and Türkiye, he stated: "Our primary focus is to rebuild Syria, restore its independence, and ensure that it regains its sovereignty and stability."
"The Syrian people have endured long years of chaos, war, and hardship, and it is imperative to meet their basic needs and enable them to live in stability within their homeland," he added.
On the Palestinian issue, Safadi reiterated Jordan's unwavering support for the Palestinian people's right to establish an independent state based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
He condemned Israel's ongoing violations and attacks on Palestinians, describing them as "unjust and unacceptable."
He called for intensified efforts to halt the violence and ensure respect for international law, including the protection of holy sites in Jerusalem under Jordanian custodianship, an arrangement dating back over 100 years.
Safadi also addressed regional security concerns, expressing Jordan's strong opposition to any infringement on Syria's territorial integrity, including Israeli attacks.
Safadi noted the shared view with Türkiye on combating terrorism, particularly the threat posed by groups like the terrorist PKK.
"Jordan supports Türkiye's legitimate security concerns and its fight against terrorism. The PKK does not represent the Kurdish people in Syria, and we believe in the right of all Syrians, including Kurds, to live equally and peacefully within their homeland," he said.
