DAMASCUS, Syria: Syrian President Bashar Assad stated on Sunday that the withdrawal of Turkish forces from Syria is not a precondition for reconciliation between the two nations.
Contrary to recent claims by Turkish officials, Assad clarified that Syria has not made Turkey’s military withdrawal a requirement for diplomatic engagement.
Although Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan initially supported efforts to oust Assad during Syria’s civil war, he has shifted his stance in recent years.
Since 2022, Russia has mediated talks between Syrian and Turkish officials, pushing for a diplomatic resolution. Despite Turkish troops and their allied rebel factions controlling parts of northern Syria, Assad remains open to dialogue, though he emphasizes that the content of any potential meeting with Erdogan will be crucial. The ongoing Syrian conflict, which began in 2011, has resulted in over 500,000 deaths and displaced millions, including the 3.2 million Syrian refugees currently residing in Turkey.
