Syria conditions restoring ties with Ankara on Turkish troop withdrawal

The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates has said that the restoration of diplomatic relations with neighboring Turkey after more than a decade of hiatus depends on the Ankara government withdrawing its troops from the Arab nation’s territory.

The ministry said in a statement on Saturday that any bid to restore ties between Syria and Turkey “must be built on clear foundations that ensure the desired results... foremost of which is the withdrawal of illegally present forces from the Syrian territory, and the fight against terrorist groups that threaten not only Syria’s security but also the security of Turkey.”

The Syrian foreign ministry noted that the cornerstone of these principles is the mutual respect for sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, along with addressing any threats to the security and stability of both nations.

It expressed gratitude to the “friendly and brotherly countries that have made sincere efforts to mend Syrian-Turkish relations.”

The statement came a day after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stressed the importance of efforts for peace in neighboring Syria, urging all peace advocates to support this pivotal call.

“We want peace in Syria, and we expect everyone who stands for peace to support this historic call,” Erdogan told journalists on Friday on his return flight from Washington, DC, where he attended a NATO leaders’ summit earlier this week.

“A fair peace in Syria would benefit Turkey [among neighboring countries] the most,” Erdogan said, adding, “The most important step in this process is to start a new era with Syria.”

He emphasized that a just peace in Syria, respecting its territorial integrity, is in Ankara’s best interest.

Erdogan noted that progress has been positive so far, and he hopes for concrete steps soon.

Erdogan says 'ready' to meet Syria's Assad to restore ties

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has stressed his readiness to restore ties with Syria after over a decade of severed relations.

On a potential meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, something he has hinted at in recent days, Erdogan said, “Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is working with his Syrian counterpart [Faisal Mekdad] to lay out a roadmap, and we will take steps accordingly.”

Turkey severed its relations with Syria in March 2012, a year after the Arab country found itself in the grip of deadly violence waged by foreign-backed militants, including those allegedly supported by Ankara.

The process of normalizing ties between Ankara and Damascus kicked off on December 28, 2022, when the Russian, Syrian, and Turkish defense ministers met in Moscow, in what was the highest-level meeting between the two sides since the outbreak of the Syria conflict.

Since 2016, Turkey has conducted three major ground operations against US-backed militants based in northern Syria.

The Turkish government accuses the US-backed Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) militants of bearing ties with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militant group.

Syria considers the Turkish presence on its soil to be illegal, saying it reserves the right to defend its sovereignty against the occupying forces.

Assad has tied rapprochement with Turkey to Ankara’s ending occupation of the northern parts of the Arab country and its support for militant groups wreaking havoc and fighting against the Damascus government.

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