Erdogan calls for political solution to Syria crisis

Erdogan added the humanitarian drama in Syria has unfolded over the course of an entire decade before the eyes of the world.

“We need to show a stronger will to find a political solution to the problem, based on United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254, and in a way that will meet the expectations of the Syrian people,” the president noted.

The longstanding crisis has caused the death of hundreds of thousands of people and the displacement of millions others since 2011, he stated.

Turkey cannot shoulder the burden of a new migration wave, Erdogan said, amid an increasing number of immigrants fleeing the Taliban rule in Afghanistan.

Concerns have risen over a possible spike in migrants from Afghanistan due to the United States’ pullout from that country after two decades and the following surge of Taliban attacks.

The Taliban have rapidly retaken control of the country and acted quickly to fill in the power vacuum left by the withdrawal of the U.S. The Taliban’s rule, however, has caused many Afghans to flee the country in fear of prosecution by the militant group.

Speaking about the deepening crisis in Afghanistan, Erdogan blamed the west for imposing solutions that ignored reality.

“We have tragically witnessed once again in Afghanistan how solutions that ignore reality and collide with the social fabric of the people ultimately fail. The Afghan people have been forced to face alone the consequences of instability that has been ongoing for more than 40 years,” he stated, adding that Turkey would continue to do the best it can to aid Afghan people in their time of need.

But the president said Turkey would not bear the responsibility of another migration wave.

“As a country that has saved human dignity in Syria, we neither have the means nor the patience to face another migration wave,” Erdogan added.

Noting that Turkey is hosting more than 1 million refugees in addition to Syrians, Erdogan noted world powers have to assume their own responsibilities in solving the migrant crisis.

 

Sources: Anadolu News Agency, Daily Sabah