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Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan addressed key regional and security issues in an exclusive interview with France 24, including Türkiye's plans for dialogue with the new administration in Syria's Damascus, the role of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in counterterrorism efforts, and Türkiye's stance on PKK/YPG activities in northern Syria.
Addressing Türkiye's designation of HTS as a terrorist organization, Fidan explained that this status aligns with U.N Security Council resolutions.
However, he noted a discrepancy between legal definitions and HTS's recent activities, pointing out that HTS has not been observed engaging in terrorism over the past decade.
"Our inclusion of them in the list is related to the U.N. list. Of course, we abide by the UN Security Council resolutions, but now there is a different situation where the legal and de facto dimensions contradict each other." Fidan said.
Fidan stated that they have not seen HTS engaged in any terrorist activity in the last 10 years and added, "This is a matter that not only us but also Western intelligence organizations have identified."
"You were the intelligence chief before you became Foreign Minister. I assume you had contact with the HTS leader known as Ahmed al-Shara. Have they been useful in the fight against terrorist groups such as Daesh or al-Qaeda? Did they cooperate with you and Western officials to show that they are no longer terrorists and that they cooperate against terrorist groups?" In response to the question, Fidan said that HTS had good cooperation in intelligence sharing, especially in the fight against Daesh, and that they were very helpful to them.
Fidan acknowledged HTS's cooperation with Turkish intelligence in combating Daesh, particularly in intelligence-sharing operations.
He stated that these collaborations have been valuable in eliminating terrorist threats, including those posed by Daesh ringleaders such as Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. "HTS has been cooperating with us for years in gathering intelligence on Daesh and al-Qaeda-linked organizations," Fida noted.
On the other hand, when asked whether HTS cooperates with Türkiye on targets such as Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the former leader of Daesh, Fidan replied that HTS cooperates with Türkiye on such targets.
FM Fidan revealed plans to meet with Syria's new leadership in Damascus in the coming period by saying, "Yes, I plan to meet with the new leadership in Damascus."
He highlighted ongoing engagement by U.S. and European officials with Syrian authorities, describing these developments as significant.
"I think it is very important. Before the American officials, representatives of some European countries and international organizations visited Damascus. We see that contacts are being established with the new leadership in Damascus. This is an important development." Hakan Fidan said.
Turkish Intelligence Chief Ibrahim Kalin's visit to Damascus, Syria. (IHA Video)
When asked about the return of Syrian refugees, Fidan emphasized that Türkiye is committed to creating an environment where refugees can return to Syria voluntarily and safely.
"We are trying to create an environment where Syrians in Türkiye and other countries can voluntarily return to their country safely. We are working hard to create an environment where they can feel safe there, but this is not something that can be forced. Of course, we cannot force them to go back." Fidan said.
He stressed that forced repatriation is not an option but expressed optimism about a significant increase in returns in the near future if conditions in Syria improve. "But there may be a big increase in returns to Syria in the coming period. We think so," Fidan maintained.
Fidan expressed skepticism regarding the U.S. military presence in Syria, suggesting that the stated purpose of combating Daesh serves as a pretext for broader geopolitical objectives.
He argued that detaining Daesh prisoners does not justify long-term military deployment and criticized the U.S. reliance on the PKK/YPG as a proxy force in northern Syria.
He called for a clear strategy for managing Daesh detainees and underscored the need for international cooperation to address this challenge effectively.
Asked about U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's comments about Türkiye's role in the change of power in Syria, Fidan said, "I think President-elect Trump did not intend to use a negative characterization when he said that. I think he said that to praise what happened, but what happened in Syria cannot be characterized as a ‘takeover’ by Türkiye. If there is a takeover, it is a takeover by the Syrian people."
"What many people find hard to believe is that Iran and Russia, who invested heavily in supporting (Syria's ousted leader Bashar) Assad a few years ago, suddenly pulled out without firing a single bullet," Fidan said. "There was an agreement, wasn't there?" On the question, he said, "I would not characterize it as an agreement."
Noting that they can see that Russian President Vladimir Putin has "transformed from a tactical manager into a good strategic thinker" with the contribution of being in power for years, Fidan said, "He knows very well what is important, what is less important, what can be invested in, whether something is sustainable or not. Therefore, I think he has made the final calculation on Syria and decided not to continue any further."
Asked whether this could be perceived as Putin's "abandonment of Assad," Fidan said, "I don't know if it can be said that he ‘abandoned’. It doesn't look like that. After all, Assad is currently in Moscow."
On the question of why Iran cut its support to the Assad regime, Fidan said, "I think Iran has recalculated all its options and has shown a very realistic approach."
In response to a question of whether they are in favor of keeping Russian bases in Syria, Minister Fidan said: "This is a matter for the Syrian people. It is up to the Syrian people. If they reach an agreement, it is their decision, so we will see, but as far as we can see right now, the Russians are in the process of redeploying their troops. At the end of this process, we don't know how much of them will continue to stay on the bases in Syria."
In response to the question "Did you know that the U.S. presence in Syria is twice as high as it is known to be?", Fidan said that they realized that their number had increased in recent weeks.
Pointing out that the U.S. has increased its military presence in Syria under the pretext of "fighting Daesh, "Fidan said, "The expression ‘fighting Daesh’ is always used as an excuse. It is necessary to define some things correctly. The so-called 'fight against Daesh' is just one thing: keeping Daesh prisoners in prison. That is all. Unfortunately, our American friends and some of our European friends are using another terrorist organization to keep terrorists in prison."
Emphasizing that this is not the right decision, Fidan said that they should reach an understanding with the U.S. on issues such as how to keep Daesh prisoners where they are, how to dismantle the PKK/YPG, and how to ensure the basic rights and security of Kurds, Arabs and Turkmens.
When asked whether Türkiye would conduct a military operation against PKK/YPG in northeastern Syria, Fidan said: "YPG is an artificially created, organized terrorist organization made up of people from Türkiye, Iraq, Syria and partly from Europe. I think this artificial terrorist organization must be immediately dismantled. There is now a new administration in Syria. I think they should handle this issue. Syria's territorial integrity and sovereignty require this. It needs to be done."
Fidan said having this issue addressed by the new Syrian administration is "one of the preferred ways." He added: "This is the preferred way, but if this does not happen, then, of course, we must protect our national security."
When asked whether military intervention is on the table, Fidan said, "Whatever is necessary will be done."
Fidan stated that PKK/YPG must negotiate with Damascus for a solution, adding, "Because there is now a new administration in Damascus. PKK/YPG no longer has Russia, Iran, or the Assad regime behind them."
He concluded, "But now that ground has disappeared. There is now a new reality in Damascus. Hopefully, the new administration in Damascus will address these issues."
Fidan emphasized: "On the other hand, YPG/PKK knows very well what we want. We do not want to see any threat against our country. We do not want current or potential threats either."
When asked about the possibility of a cease-fire in Gaza in the short term, Fidan said: "All relevant actors I spoke to are more optimistic these days, and so are we, but I am not entirely sure whether this is based on a wish or a reality."
When asked if Hamas was also approaching this possibility, Fidan said Hamas was also moving closer to it.
Answering whether he feared a war between Israel and Iran, Fidan said, "Very much."
When asked why, Fidan said, "For whatever reason, such a thing could happen. There is such a possibility."
"The only thing I know is that the Iranians do not want such a war. They do not want a major conflict. You know, we have talks with our Iranian friends. From what I directly hear from them, this is the case," the Turkish minister concluded.
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