DAMASCUS: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Monday that he would only meet Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan if discussions focus on Ankara’s alleged support for “terrorism” and the withdrawal of Turkish forces from Syrian territory.
In a video released by the Syrian presidency on Monday, Bashar al-Assad addressed reporters in Damascus, stating, “The problem is not the meeting, but its content.” He underscored that discussions must focus on ending what he views as Turkey’s backing of terrorist groups operating in Syria and the removal of Turkish military presence from Syrian lands.
Ties between Turkey and Syria have been strained since 2011 when Turkey severed diplomatic relations with Damascus amid the outbreak of the Syrian civil war. Turkey has since supported various rebel factions seeking to overthrow al-Assad, whom Ankara accuses of committing atrocities against his own people.
Turkey has also established a “safe zone” in northern Syria where its troops are stationed, citing national security concerns due to threats posed by Kurdish militants and other armed groups. Turkish forces have conducted multiple cross-border military operations in Syria.
Despite the longstanding enmity, Turkish President Erdogan recently signaled a willingness to invite al-Assad for talks aimed at normalizing relations between the two countries. Syrian President’s response, however, makes clear that any potential meeting must address what he perceives as the root causes of the conflict.
“What is the basis for the meeting? Would it be ending the reasons for the problem, which are supporting terrorism and withdrawing from Syrian lands? This is the core of the problem,” al-Assad questioned.
