Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan made statements regarding the events in Latakia, Syria during the Quintet Security Summit in Jordan. Minister Fidan remarked, “We see that the policy sustained by the Syrian government for weeks without succumbing to any provocation is being attempted to be derailed by a provocation.” A joint statement was released at the summit by Turkey, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria. The statement condemned all attempts undermining Syria’s security and expressed support for the Damascus regime.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, and MIT Director Ibrahim Kalın attended the meeting in Amman with the foreign and defense ministers of Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria, as well as the generals and intelligence chiefs.

Following the Quintet Security Summit, Minister Fidan spoke at a joint press conference with his counterparts from Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria. Regarding the events in Latakia and its surroundings, Fidan stated, “We can see that the policy sustained by the Syrian government for weeks without succumbing to any provocation is being attempted to be derailed by a provocation.” Fidan emphasized the importance for Syrian Alevis, Christians, Druze, and Alawites to stay away from provocations. Stressing that Turkey and regional countries do not support any initiative that undermines stability in Syria, Fidan highlighted that they advocate for the sacred rights of the civilian population in every platform.

JOINT STATEMENT FROM FOUR COUNTRIES Turkey, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria issued a joint statement condemning all attempts undermining Syria’s security and expressing support for the Damascus regime.

EVENTS IN LATAKIA: The death toll is rising in the events that have unfolded in Latakia and its surroundings in Syria. According to a statement by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the death toll has exceeded a thousand. It was reported that over 700 civilians were killed by being shot at close range. It was announced that 148 pro-Assad elements and 125 personnel from Syrian government forces were killed in clashes. Rami Abdulrahman, the director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, had previously stated that the majority of the deceased civilians were Alawites.

HOW DID THE EVENTS IN LATAKIA BEGIN? It is claimed that the trigger for the events in Latakia and its surroundings was an attack by elements of the Assad regime on security forces. This attack, which took place in the Jableh district of Latakia on March 6, led to the death of 11 security officers. Following the attack, the Syrian army sent reinforcements consisting of hundreds of vehicles to Latakia and Tartus. An operation was launched to capture the elements of the Assad regime.