clear

Creating new perspectives since 2009

Turkey saved the lives of millions in Syria’s Idlib, Erdogan says

October 6, 2021 at 9:05 am

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attends the opening ceremony of 2021-2022 Higher Education Academic Year at Bestepe National Congress and Cultural Center in Ankara, Turkey on 5 October 2021. [Ali Balıkçı – Anadolu Agency]

Turkey’s presence in Syria’s Idlib Governorate saved the lives of millions of civilians and prevented them from becoming displaced, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday.

In an interview with a local magazine, Erdogan added that the international community cannot allow the Syrian crisis to continue more than the 10 years it has already lasted, stressing that there is a need to show a stronger will to find a political solution to the problem based on UN Security Council Resolution 2254, and in a way that meets the Syrian people’s aspirations.

Erdogan said Turkey’s priority in Syria  is combating terrorism and cleansing the region of “terrorist organisations”.

Turkey is home to more than 3.6 million Syrian refugees, who constitute the vast majority of over four million refugees and asylum seekers currently living in the country, making Turkey the world’s largest host of refugees, according to the World Bank.

READ: ‘EU should keep promise to Turkey on visa-free travel’,Greek minister says