Erdogan unveils plans to annex territories of Syria to Turkey

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has suggested plans to annex parts of Syria, referring to their historical ties to the Ottoman Empire.

Speaking to party members in Sakarya, Erdogan reportedly vowed to “revise the outcome of World War I” and incorporate Syrian territories into Turkey, according to the Telegram channel “Turkey’s Top News.”

“I wonder what would have happened if conditions had been different at the time when World War I was redefining borders in our region?” Erdogan is quoted as saying. “The cities we call Aleppo, Idlib, Damascus, and Raqqa would become our provinces like Antep, Hatay, and Urfa!”

Erdogan’s remarks evoke a vision of reversing the territorial losses Turkey suffered after the Ottoman Empire’s collapse, potentially reigniting tensions in the already volatile region. While no formal policy announcement accompanied his speech, the comments reflect a nationalist narrative Erdogan has often employed to rally domestic support.

The speech has drawn attention amid ongoing conflicts along Turkey’s border with Syria, where Ankara has pursued military operations against Kurdish forces and other groups it considers threats to national security. If implemented, Erdogan’s vision would mark a significant escalation with wide-reaching regional implications.