STORY: Turkish, Jordanian FMs discuss situation in Syria
SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 6, 2025
DATELINE: Jan. 7, 2025
LENGTH: 00:00:48
LOCATION: Ankara
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the meeting (courtesy of Turkish Foreign Ministry)
2. various of the joint press conference (courtesy of Turkish Foreign Ministry)

STORYLINE:

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi on Monday to discuss the situation in Syria.

The two foreign ministers discussed steps to formulate a road map for reviving Syria, especially in the sectors of transport, agriculture, and food security, Fidan told a joint press conference attended by Safadi in Ankara, Türkiye.

The Turkish foreign minister said that there has been close coordination with Safadi and other Jordanian officials since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government in Syria on Dec. 8, 2024.

Fidan stressed the importance of counterterrorism efforts to prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State.

The Turkish Foreign Minister also reiterated his country's demand for the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) to disarm.

"Conditions in Syria have changed," said Fidan. "We believe it's only a matter of time before the YPG is eliminated."

Safadi echoed Türkiye's security concerns and affirmed Jordan's support for Ankara's stance against the YPG, which Türkiye considers to be the Syrian branch of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

The Jordanian minister also voiced opposition to foreign interference in Syria. "We reject any attacks on Syria's independence and sovereignty," he said. "The security and stability of Syria are directly tied to the security of neighboring countries like Jordan and Türkiye."

Safadi also criticized Israel's attacks on Syrian territories, calling them "dangerous and unjust."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Ankara.
(XHTV)