The Aydinlik Turkish newspaper has revealed that a meeting between security officials from Syria and Turkey was held last week in the Iranian capital Tehran. This is the first meeting of its kind since the seven-year war in Syria began, which resulted in relations being cut between Damascus and Ankara.
The Turkish newspaper quoted sources as saying that “the head of the Turkish intelligence, Hakan Fidan, was present,” adding that “the meeting discussed various aspects of the liberation of Idleb province and matters related to the Middle East.”
On Tuesday, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem announced in press statements that Syria was ready to normalize relations with Turkey if it decided to withdraw its forces from Syrian territory.
Muallem said: “When Turkey withdraws from Syrian territory, normalizing relations will become a necessity for the future.”
Turkey is considered a major player in Syria these days, especially after the Russian-Turkish understanding around the establishment of a demilitarized zone in Idleb.
Damascus views the Turkish presence in the country’s north as an occupation, with many Syrian officials believing there is no legitimacy to this presence and that it will be dealt with as an occupying force, vowing to end it by all available means.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
