Presidency's Head of Communications Fahrettin Altun attended the "Panel on Türkiye's Stabilising Power in Syria's Security" held at the Directorate of Communications.
Speaking at the panel, Head of Communications Altun expressed hope that the panel would contribute to regional and global peace and stability and the struggle for truth and justice, especially in Syria.
Head of Communications Altun announced the publication of a new book, "Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's Peace Diplomacy: The Case of Syria," underscoring the Directorate's commitment to contributing to the understanding of the truth through its publications by evaluating the past, present, and context of the events taking place across the region and the world in a holistic manner.
Emphasising that the book covers the historical background of Syria-Türkiye relations and the military, political, diplomatic, and humanitarian dimensions of the Syrian conflict from day one to the present, Head of Communications Altun said, "It communicates to the reader Türkiye's stance in favour of peace, its stabilising power, and the unprecedented initiatives it has implemented in a holistic manner." This book is essentially a textual framework that reveals the stabilising role of our state and government under our President's leadership in Syria."
Actors in environments of uncertainty
Head of Communications Altun stated that in environments of uncertainty, actors frequently remained inactive and observed the environment, noting that they would encounter greater challenges in the face of unforeseen developments if they continued to do so.
Pointing out that in this age of uncertainty, we are faced with precisely the same kind of inactivity in the global arena, Head of Communications Altun said:
"Unfortunately, this state of inactivity often leads to despair and entrenchment of problems. The field of international relations is increasingly witnessing ineffective actors who cower in their corners, unable to take the initiative and influenced by external developments. We are witnessing that these actors in the global arena are powerless in the face of negativity, crises, and atrocities, and that as a result of their powerlessness, they have become complicit in these crises and crimes. Over the past 23 years, Türkiye has been an actor that has not exhibited such impotence in the face of the events unfolding in its region, the risks emerging adjacent to it, and the uncertainties prevailing at the global level. It has not compromised its principled and fair approach, developing and executing its regional and global policies with courage, resolve, and a people-centred approach. In this respect, Türkiye has advanced and continues to advance with resoluteness on the course it believes is right."
Türkiye's contributions in the resolution of the Syrian crisis
Head of Communications Altun indicated that the panel would feature a discussion with specialists in the field regarding the Syrian crisis, the revolution of December 8 that resolved the Syrian conflict, and Türkiye-Syria relations, saying:
"History has proven Türkiye’s righteousness regarding Syria to the entire world. Over the past 13 years, the oppression in Syria has revealed both the incapacity and opportunism of global power centres. During this process, numerous "developed" countries and international actors did not only fail to address the crisis in Syria but actually exacerbated it through proxy warfare. They employed a number of inhumane tactics to bar the millions of Syrians who had been displaced from their homes and homelands, let alone alleviate their suffering through humanitarian assistance."
Head of Communications Altun cited President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's 2019 address to the G20 Summit on the Syrian conflict, stating, "Unfortunately, most of our Western neighbours have chosen to hide behind high walls and seek peace behind barbed wires. Neither the cries of those mothers and fathers, holding their children’s little bodies, nor the images of torture from inside the prisons or the tears of innocent children have been enough, unfortunately, to mobilise certain people."
Emphasising that Türkiye took on significant risks during this process and rose to the occasion, Head of Communications Altun said, "While combating international terrorist organisations on one front, we have welcomed millions of people on the other. We have been the most prominent voice of conscience in Syria through our humanitarian foreign policy approach since 2011. We have consistently supported our Syrian brothers and sisters in our country and across the border through our institutions, including the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), the Turkish Red Crescent, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), and non-governmental organisations."
Head of Communications Altun noted that efforts were underway to provide food, shelter, and healthcare services in Syria in order to mend the scars of the conflict, to offer facilities that are worthy of human dignity, and to alleviate the suffering to a certain degree, adding:
"The hospitals and schools built and the infrastructure projects undertaken in the region continue to provide long-term solutions for the essential needs of our Syrian brothers and sisters. Türkiye acted as a beacon of hope for humanity throughout this process by sincerely welcoming millions of people who were ignored by the international community. Many so-called developed countries, particularly Western countries, have experienced a severe moral collapse on this issue with their double standard and selective approach, as well as populist and racist policies.''
"Türkiye has always assumed a proactive role in the resolution of the Syrian conflict"
In his speech, Head of Communications Altun emphasised that under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Türkiye has mobilised all its diplomatic means and capabilities since 2011 in order to ease the suffering in Syria and to restore stability and peace and went on to say:
"Türkiye has always assumed a proactive role and spearheaded international initiatives for the peaceful resolution of the Syrian conflict. The Astana Process has served as an important platform for de-escalating conflicts and political solutions with the efforts of Türkiye. The Geneva talks were held with the participation of the international community in order to provide an opportunity for a peaceful solution in Syria. Türkiye has always stood by Syria, which maintains its unitary structure and determines its own future. Türkiye continues to uphold this stance firmly today."
Pointing out that the most critical problem undermining Syria's unity and solidarity as well as its peace, tranquillity, and stability is terrorist organisations, Head of Communication Altun went on to say:
"Throughout the Syrian conflict, the PKK/YPG terrorist organisation has perpetrated numerous attacks targeting innocent people as a pawn of foreign powers. Furthermore, it continued its heinous acts not only in Syria but also within our borders. As Türkiye, we will resolutely persist in our struggle until we eradicate these treacherous terrorist organisations both in Syria and our region. Those who seek to witness Türkiye's resoluteness can check our successful operations, such as Operation Euphrates Shield, Operation Olive Branch, Operation Peace Spring, and Operation Spring Shield. With these operations conducted by our heroic army, Türkiye has ensured that Syrians continue their lives in safety by restoring peace and tranquillity in the regions cleared of terrorist organisations. Eventually, today, we are witnessing a new and promising Syria following the people's revolution that took place on December 8, 2024. This hope arising from Syria offers a great opportunity for peace, stability, and prosperity in our region."
Head of Communications Altun said that in an era of global uncertainty, Türkiye serves international peace with the vision of a "fairer world," using its stabilising power not only to address regional events but also global challenges.
Pointing out that the concept of stabilising power refers to the correct definition of regional and global problems, proactive efforts to solve these problems, and the power to create generations of stability, Head of Communications Altun said that this power prioritises ensuring fair representation in the system over obtaining rights or privileges.
Zelensky's visit to Ankara
Altun emphasised that Türkiye's stabilising power, under President Erdoğan's leadership, has prioritised efforts to establish dialogue and peace between parties in crisis regions.
Head of Communications Altun continued:
''The entire world has witnessed numerous examples of this over the last 23 years. Libya, which had been plunged into internal conflict, has moved closer to stability as a result of our diplomacy and the responsibility we assumed on the ground. Türkiye expressed its will to bring the parties together in the early days of the war between Ukraine and Russia, noting that 'peace has no losers.' While Western countries provoked war, Türkiye prevented a potential famine, particularly in African countries, by resolving the food crisis through the grain corridor deal. Yesterday, while the search for a resolution to the war was still in progress, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine's visit to Ankara and his meeting with our President was a concrete manifestation of the confidence in our country in the establishment of peace, as well as its declaration to the entire world.
Another notable example is the Somaliland crisis between Somalia and Ethiopia, which had the potential to escalate into a war at any moment but was resolved thanks to our President's role in leader-to-leader diplomacy and Türkiye's mediation skills. The most pressing issue facing us at the moment is the total halt of genocidal Israeli massacres and the establishment of a lasting peace. As you are aware, Türkiye has taken a firm stance against Israel's attacks on Palestinians since October 7, 2023. When the attacks escalated into genocide, we imposed an embargo on Israel, cut off all trade with the country, and intervened in the International Court of Justice's case against Israel for genocide. On the one hand, we launched an aid mobilisation to address the region's humanitarian crisis; on the other, we deployed all diplomatic means and methods to mobilise the international community against Israeli aggression. Although the current ceasefire process is not satisfactory, Türkiye remains committed to sustaining all efforts to transform this ceasefire into a lasting peace."
"Directorate of Communications conveys Türkiye's just arguments to international public opinion"
Emphasising that as the Directorate of Communications, they continue the country's vigorous efforts in the field of communication as well as in the field and on the negotiation table, Head of Communications Altun stated that they carry out a communication mobilisation using all the means and methods of strategic communication to convey Türkiye's just arguments, honourable stance, humanitarian policies, and vision for a more livable world to both national and international audiences.
Head of Communications Altun also spoke about the Directorate of Communications' efforts regarding Syria and Syrians.
Recalling that the Centre for Combating Disinformation has identified and exposed nearly 100 disinformation campaigns targeting Syrians and Türkiye's cross-border operations, Head of Communications Altun said, "Such lies were intended to undermine social peace through various provocations and to cast a shadow on the cross-border operations carried out by our soldiers with great sensitivity."
Head of Communications Altun stated that the International Media Coordination Office of the Directorate of Communications has been keeping track of the pushbacks against migrants in the Aegean Sea during the Syrian conflict and brought them to the agenda of the international media.
Pointing out that more than 60 media outlets from various countries, including the US, Italy, the UK, and China, had the opportunity to report this tragic picture in the field, Head of Communications Altun said, "With the initiatives of our Directorate, media organisations such as ZDF, CNN, Der Spiegel, and the Japanese newspaper The Asahi Shimbun reported on these disgraceful acts, unworthy of human dignity, stirring the conscience of the international community. As a result, not only did the management of FRONTEX, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, which has been accused of covering up pushbacks, have to change, but the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has also called on European Union countries to investigate illegal deportations."
Emphasising that they will continue to work to ensure the world sees the truth in this new process, where the Syrian people have regained their freedom, Head of Communications Altun said, "Türkiye, with all its experience and knowledge, will always stand by Syria in the reconstruction process." As we have repeatedly stated before, we believe that the Century of Türkiye will be a century of stability, peace, development, tranquillity, and compassion in both regional and global terms."
