ANKARA (Reuters) -President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday Turkey will not allow Syria’s fragmentation or harm to its territorial integrity if diplomacy to implement an integration deal between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces and Syria’s government fails.
“We have engaged all channels of diplomacy both to preserve Syria’s territorial integrity and prevent a terrorist structure from forming across our borders. We continue to use these channels with patience, sincerity, and common sense,” Erdogan told an event to mark parliament’s re-opening.
“If diplomatic initiatives are left unanswered, Turkey’s policy and position are clear. Turkey will not allow a deja vu to take place in Syria,” he added.
Ankara considers the SDF a terrorist organisation and has warned of military action if it does not integrate into Syria’s state apparatus as per its agreement with Damascus.
(Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu and Ece Toksabay; Editing by Daren Butler)
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