Erdogan Says SDF Dissolution Could Open Door to New Era

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has welcomed the decision to dissolve the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), saying the move could open the door to a new era for the region while calling for an end to terrorism, arms and violence.

“I believe the dissolution of the SDF will open the door to a new era for the entire region. The chapter of terrorism must now close; the era of weapons and violence must now end,” Erdogan said.

Speaking to journalists aboard the presidential plane after his visit to Kyrgyzstan to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, Erdogan also said the peace process was progressing step by step, while stressing that processes vulnerable to provocation should not be prolonged.

Asked about the latest stage of the peace process and when it could be completed, Erdogan said it was not possible to set a specific timetable.

He said Türkiye viewed the “Terror-Free Türkiye” process as a goal rather than a matter of scheduling, while noting that the state had a road-map, plan and timetable and that relevant institutions were working in coordination.

Erdogan said the strong consensus reached by Parliament was important and valuable. He added that a monitoring committee established under the leadership of Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz had begun planning the steps to be taken within the framework of its legally defined responsibilities.

“The process is moving forward step by step,” Erdogan said, adding that the process had not been confined to narrow frameworks.

He said the government was approaching the issue with the seriousness of the state and that the Turkish public had also demonstrated its support for a “Terror-Free Türkiye.”

“Processes that are open to such provocations should not take too long,” he said, adding that the Parliament Speaker and parliamentary group leaders were showing the necessary sensitivity and that the process would continue with determination.

Erdogan said the issue could not be viewed through a narrow framework, calling for sincerity, responsibility, common sense and the preservation of social unity.

“Any discourse that does not serve social integration contributes to chaos and serves no other purpose,” Erdogan said.

He argued that strengthening the country’s internal front did not mean eliminating differences, saying Türkiye should remain united despite its differences.

“We will strengthen the internal front. We will unite around Türkiye despite our differences. We call this the ‘Great Türkiye Consensus,’” he said.

Commenting on the decision to dissolve the SDF, Erdogan said he was pleased with the decision on behalf of the Syrian people and welcomed both the move and the process of integration.

“We welcome the decision and the achievement of integration,” Erdogan said, adding that Türkiye, as a neighboring country sharing a very long border with Syria, was monitoring its implementation on the ground.

He said Türkiye most wanted Syria to remain united with all its components, arguing that this was important for sustainable development and increasing capacity in the country.

Erdogan said Türkiye had supported Syrians and would continue to do so, while expressing optimism about Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa’s handling of difficult processes and the gains achieved by the Syrian people in a short period.

“I believe this process will open the door to a new era not only for Türkiye and Syria but for the entire region. The chapter of terrorism must now close; the era of weapons and violence must now end,” he said.

Erdogan said Türkiye’s position on Syria had remained unchanged, arguing that Syria could not become an area where “terrorist organizations” operate freely and warning that instability there could spread across the region.

He said the United States had now also recognized the realities of Syria and praised the Syrian people for what he described as the heavy sacrifices they had endured while holding on to their country.

Erdogan called on neighboring and friendly countries to help with Syria’s reconstruction and development.

He said developments in Syria were important because they demonstrated, in his view, the correctness of Türkiye’s vision and the realism of its Syria policy.

He also stressed the importance of confronting provocations and preventing those seeking to undermine Syria’s internal peace from gaining space.

“Syria’s path to stability passes through clearing away the seeds of discord,” Erdogan said.