Turkish Diplomat Advocates Peaceful Resolution in Syria Amidst Escalating Tensions

Turkey's foreign minister expressed hope for a peaceful resolution to Syrian conflicts but indicated possible use of force following recent Aleppo clashes. The violence highlights ongoing tensions between President al-Sharaa's government and Kurdish forces. Turkey, viewing Kurdish forces as terrorists, remains hopeful for progress in peace processes with the PKK.

Turkey's foreign minister, Hakan Fidan, has voiced a preference for peacefully resolving Syria's ongoing issues, noting that force might be unavoidable given recent clashes with Kurdish fighters in Aleppo.

The skirmishes, which lasted five days, resulted in 23 deaths and prompted over 150,000 people to flee Kurdish-controlled areas, according to Syria's health ministry. The conflict accentuates the divide between President Ahmed al-Sharaa's efforts to unify Syria and Kurdish resistance to his Islamist governance.

Fidan urged the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces to break free from their violent cycle, while also pointing out Turkey's stance on Kurdish forces being allied with the Kurdistan Workers Party, considered a terrorist group in Turkey. Despite this, Fidan stressed the importance of not allowing the peace process with the PKK to be sidelined and remains hopeful for progress.

(With inputs from agencies.)