Erdogan Expresses Optimism for Syrian Opposition's March 'Without Incidents'

Istanbul, Dec 6 (NationPress) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed optimism on Friday that the march of Syrian opposition forces will proceed without incidents, according to TRT World.

"Idlib, Hama, Homs, and ultimately, the target is Damascus. The opposition's march is ongoing. Our desire is for this march in Syria to continue without accidents or disasters," Erdogan stated to reporters in Istanbul following Friday prayers.

The Turkish leader also expressed his discontent with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, accusing him of dismissing opportunities for dialogue. "We reached out to Assad, saying, 'Come, let's shape Syria's future together.' Unfortunately, we did not receive a favorable response," Erdogan remarked.

Assad has previously shown a willingness for dialogue with Ankara but emphasized the need for respect for Syria's sovereignty and prioritizing counter-terrorism efforts as conditions for enhancing relations, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

Ankara has consistently supported Syrian opposition forces aiming to remove the Iran and Russia-backed Assad administration. However, Türkiye also categorizes certain regional actors as terrorists, such as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former Al-Qaeda affiliate that is currently spearheading the ongoing rebel campaign in Syria.

"The current troubled progress in the region is not unfolding as hoped, and Türkiye does not wish for such developments," Erdogan stated, without elaborating further.

Since November 27, Syrian rebel factions, led by HTS, have initiated a significant offensive in northern Syria, capturing crucial cities like Aleppo and Hama. This advance has severely impacted Assad's government but has also heightened concerns regarding a potential humanitarian crisis in the area.