Syrians residing in Turkey rejoiced as Syrian rebels declared the ousting of President Bashar Al Assad in Syria, in Istanbul, Turkey, on December 8, 2024. — Reuters

Turkey aims to facilitate the safe and voluntary return of Syrian migrants it currently hosts and will assist in the reconstruction of Syria following President Bashar Al Assad's abrupt removal by rebels, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated on Monday.

In a significant shift for the Middle East, rebels captured the Syrian capital Damascus, forcing Assad to flee to Russia, marking the end of 13 years of civil war and over 50 years of his family's oppressive rule. Turkey, which claims it provided no support and had no involvement in the offensive by the Syrian opposition forces it has backed for years against Assad, expressed on Sunday its desire for an inclusive Syrian administration and for Syrians to shape their own future.

During his address at the Turkish Ambassadors' Conference in Ankara, Fidan emphasized Turkey's readiness to support Syria's rebuilding and its coordination with all "regional actors and parties". "In the coming period, we envision a Syria where diverse ethnic and religious groups coexist under an inclusive governance model and in harmony. We aspire to witness a new Syria that fosters ties with its neighbors, contributing to peace and stability in the region," he stated.

"We will persist in our efforts to ensure the safe and voluntary return of Syrians and for the country's reconstruction," Fidan added. He further noted that Ankara would stand by Syrians during this "new phase" in Damascus, but cautioned that groups like Daesh and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which Ankara deems as terrorist organizations, must not exploit the situation.

As a NATO member, Turkey accommodates approximately three million Syrian migrants and refugees, making it the largest host of Syrians who have fled the civil war. It also maintains control over substantial areas in northern Syria following multiple cross-border incursions against the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia, which Ankara views as an extension of the PKK.

Shares in Turkish construction and cement companies experienced a surge on Monday, driven by the anticipation of benefiting from the reconstruction efforts in Syria.

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