Assad: Efforts to Mend Turkey Ties Yield No Significant Results
Syrian President Assad reports no tangible outcomes from initiatives to reconcile with Turkey. Despite mediators' efforts, Assad emphasizes the need for addressing root causes to restore relations.
Bashar al-Assad, Syria's president, recently addressed the Syrian parliament, stating that attempts to repair relations with Turkey have not produced noteworthy results. This statement comes 13 years after Turkey severed diplomatic ties with Syria in 2011, coinciding with the outbreak of the Syrian civil war.
"The initiatives did not yield any results worth mentioning despite the seriousness and genuine keenness of mediators"
Assad emphasized the need for openness and addressing the root causes that led to the deterioration of relations. He acknowledged the mediation efforts by Russia, Iran, and Iraq, but indicated that these have not yet led to significant breakthroughs.
The Syrian civil war, which began in 2011 as part of the broader Arab Spring uprisings, has had far-reaching consequences for the region. It has resulted in over 6.6 million Syrian refugees fleeing the country, with Turkey hosting the largest number, estimated at 3.6 million.
While Assad expressed a desire for Turkish troops to withdraw from Syria, he clarified that this was not a precondition for talks. This stance potentially opens the door for future negotiations.
In July 2024, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan stated he would extend an invitation to Assad "any time" for possible talks to restore relations. However, speculation about a potential meeting between the two leaders in August 2024 was denied by a Turkish diplomat.
The conflict in Syria has involved multiple international actors, including the US, Russia, and Iran. Russia, a key ally of the Assad government during the war, has been attempting to facilitate a meeting between Assad and Erdogan. Similarly, Iraq expressed interest in July 2024 in potentially bringing the two leaders together.
As Syria grapples with the aftermath of the prolonged conflict, including a severely impacted economy and international sanctions, the potential for diplomatic reconciliation with Turkey could have significant implications for regional stability and reconstruction efforts.
The situation remains complex, with various factors at play, including the presence of Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in northern Syria and Turkey's military operations in the region since 2016. As diplomatic efforts continue, the international community watches closely for any signs of progress in this long-standing impasse.
