In yet another development on the saga of the Assad Erdogan meeting, pro-AKP Daily Sabah reports that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Syrian leader Bashar Assad are scheduled to meet in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin mediating.
Iran is expected to be excluded from that meeting.
This meeting aims to support the normalization of relations between Turkey and Syria. Erdogan had suggested holding the talks in Turkey or a third country, while Iraq also expressed interest in hosting them in Baghdad.
Turkey Tightens Noose on Opponents to Normalization with Damascus
Tensions between Moscow and Tehran in the Syrian context have led to Iran’s likely exclusion from the Assad Erdogan talks. Despite this, cooperation between Russia, Iran, and Turkey, particularly through the Astana format talks, remains ongoing. The meeting in Moscow would bolster Russia’s influence in Syria, highlighting the competition and subtle rivalry between Russia and Iran over Syria’s post-war future.
Eventual Withdrawal
According to the Turkish outlet, the talks aim to discuss various issues, including trade and the eventual withdrawal of Turkish forces from Syria, a condition previously set by Assad for normalizing relations. Additionally, the meeting would showcase Russia’s strategic role and its efforts to balance its interests with those of other regional actors, such as Iraq, while potentially driving a wedge between Baghdad and Tehran.
Earlier in July, Erdogan mentioned that he would extend an invitation to Assad “any time” for possible talks to restore relations. The Syrian president questioned the basis of an Assad Erdogan meeting, insisting that it should address the core issues of “terrorism support” and the withdrawal of Turkish forces from Syrian lands.
But last week Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad stated that he would only meet Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan if the discussions focus on Ankara’s support for “terrorism” and the withdrawal of Turkish forces from Syrian territory. Assad emphasized that the problem lies not in the meeting itself but in its content.
Turkey severed ties with Syria in 2011 following the outbreak of the Syrian civil war, during which it supported rebels seeking to oust Assad. The Syrian leader considers these rebels terrorists. Additionally, Turkey has established a “safe zone” in northern Syria, where Turkish troops are currently stationed, and has conducted several cross-border military operations against militants it claims threaten Turkey’s national security.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
