STORY: Erdogan hopes Syrian opposition to march "without accidents"
SHOOTING DATE: Dec. 6, 2024
DATELINE: Dec. 7, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:16
LOCATION: ISTANBUL, Türkiye
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Erdogan at the press conference
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Turkish): RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN, Turkish President
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Turkish): RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN, Turkish President
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Turkish): RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN, Turkish President

STORYLINE:

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed hope on Friday that Syrian opposition forces' march will "continue without accidents," the TRT World reported.

Erdogan made the remarks at a press conference in Istanbul after Friday prayers.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Turkish): RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN, Turkish President
"Idlib, Hama, Homs, and the target, of course, is Damascus. The opposition's march continues. Our wish is that this march in Syria continues without accidents or disasters."

The Turkish leader also voiced frustration with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, whom he accused of rejecting dialogue.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Turkish): RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN, Turkish President
"We reached out to Assad, saying, 'Come, let's shape Syria's future together.' Unfortunately, we did not receive a positive response."

Assad has previously indicated openness to dialogue with Ankara but insisted on respect for Syria's sovereignty and prioritizing counter-terrorism efforts as prerequisites for improved relations.
   
Ankara has long supported Syrian opposition forces seeking to oust the Iran and Russia-backed Assad government. However, Türkiye also views some regional actors as terrorists, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former Al-Qaeda affiliate that is now leading the ongoing rebel offensive in Syria.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Turkish): RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN, Turkish President
"The ongoing troubled advances in the region are not unfolding as desired, and Türkiye does not wish for such developments."

Since Nov. 27, Syrian rebel groups, led by HTS, have launched a major offensive in northern Syria, capturing key cities such as Aleppo and Hama. The push has dealt a significant blow to Assad's government but also raised fears of a looming humanitarian crisis in the region.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Istanbul, Türkiye.
(XHTV)