Turkey to Aid in Syria's Transition Journey: Erdogan

Ankara, Dec 20 (NationPress) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared on Friday that his nation would provide support for Syria's transition journey and contribute to the nation's recovery and stability.

"We are assisting the Syrian populace in navigating the transition process smoothly, ensuring there are no hindrances along the way," the state-run TRT broadcaster cited Erdogan as saying.

"Formulating a constitution is a pivotal step in restoring the state," Erdogan informed journalists during his return flight from Cairo, where he participated in the 11th Summit of the Developing Eight Organisation for Economic Cooperation.

"To this end, we have commenced dialogue with significant figures in Syria's new administration."

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is scheduled to visit Syria shortly to deliberate on establishing a "collaborative framework" for Syria's future, he added, stating, "If Syria can create a genuinely stable structure with this new formation, it will, in my opinion, achieve a robust position within the Islamic world."

He highlighted that Turkey and Syria would collaborate across various sectors, such as defence, education, and energy, according to Xinhua news agency.

"At present, Syria is grappling with significant challenges in energy; however, we aspire to address these issues promptly," Erdogan mentioned.

With years of conflict having devastated Syria's infrastructure and urban areas, Erdogan emphasized the urgency of reconstruction. "To heal the wounds, it is crucial to rebuild cities and foster sustainable livelihoods," he stated, citing plans for new housing, energy facilities, and initiatives in agriculture and livestock as top priorities.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) accused Turkish troops and allied factions of intensifying assaults near Syria's border city of Kobani.

The SDF reported that Turkish forces and their "mercenaries" launched a comprehensive assault on Wednesday on the southern outskirts of Kobani, particularly near the Tishreen Dam area.

The group asserted that its fighters repelled the attackers by nightfall, but Turkish drones and artillery continued to bombard various regions of Kobani. Moreover, Turkish military reinforcements, including tanks and armored vehicles, were reportedly amassing along Syria's northern border.

The SDF reiterated its support for recent US-led de-escalation efforts and the positive stance taken during the Aqaba meeting, which occurred on December 14 and focused on efforts to cease combat operations in Syria.

However, the militia urged the international community to adopt a "clearer and firmer" stance against the Turkish escalation, calling on Arab states and concerned nations to denounce what it described as "an ongoing campaign to seize Syrian territory."

"We do not seek additional conflict, but we will not hesitate to defend our people and our land," the militia warned, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

The SDF also encouraged residents of Kobani to arm themselves and unite against any invasion attempts.

"Every village and corner of Kobani can transform into a fortress of resistance," it declared, cautioning that there would be no "picnic" for any invading force.

Ankara has consistently regarded the SDF with suspicion due to its connections to Kurdish militants within Turkey.