Fidan: The Samud Fleet Is International Support for Palestine
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan described the “Samud Fleet” as a humanitarian and honorable initiative in support of the Palestinian people, stating: “This convoy is a symbol of international solidarity against the ongoing genocide in Gaza and is currently our most important tool for raising global awareness.”
Referring to the fleet’s launch on a broader scale with multinational participation, he added: “Citizens from many countries are taking part in this movement. Our main goal is for this initiative to be carried out successfully, without clashes or harm, and for all participants to return safely to their countries.”
Fidan also announced that on September 16, a joint statement by 17 countries was issued with the aim of increasing international pressure following the departure of the ships. He emphasized that Turkey, in cooperation with its own naval forces and those of other countries, including Spain and Italy, has ensured navigational security in the region.
The Turkish Foreign Minister went on to highlight the meeting of representatives from eight Islamic countries with the President of the United States in New York, saying: “In this meeting, the leaders of Islamic countries called for an end to the actions of the Israeli Prime Minister. We need the clear will of the United States to advance the ceasefire plan, and our diplomatic efforts are focused on maintaining this course.”
He described Hamas’s stance toward the ceasefire proposal as “constructive and respectable,” adding: “Hamas has not categorically rejected the plan; rather, while upholding the principles of the Palestinian people, it seeks compromise and respect for mediation efforts.”
Fidan also announced the upcoming visit of Syria’s Foreign Minister to Turkey and expressed hope that the meeting would be an effective step toward stability in Syria. Pointing to the risks present in certain areas of Syria, he stressed: “Turkey, with its diplomatic tools and leadership capacity, is ready to manage risks and support the process of stability in Syria.”
On the impact of the Russia–Ukraine war on European security, he said: “Europe is facing an unprecedented threat, and the alert level in NATO member states has been raised. Reports have been received of airspace violations by Russia, which have been met with varying responses from Moscow.”
In conclusion, the Turkish Foreign Minister underscored the importance of preserving Syria’s territorial integrity, calling for an agreement between the YPG group and the Damascus government, and noting that resolving the issue of the Druze in the south also requires a bilateral settlement. He identified Israel as the main source of instability in Syria, stating: “Turkey opposes any unilateral action that would lead to partition or the creation of new initiatives, as the security of our borders is directly affected by developments in Syria.”
