Iran wants in on Russia-backed Turkey-Syria peace talks; while Turkey playing all sides
Update from Syria: Turkey-Syria relationship is thawing fast, as the Defense Ministers of Turkey, Russia and Syria had trilateral talks in Moscow on December 28, 2022.
This paved the way for the high level talks between the Foreign Ministers of Turkey and Syria – and perhaps, eventually a face to face meeting between the Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Syria President, Bashar al-Assad.
However, this suddenly warming of relationship had raised red flags in the Syrian opposition factions currently under the protection/backing of Turkey, as well as Iran that is currently, and rightfully not part of the meetings.
Syrian Opposition Coalition president, Salem al Meslet met with Mevlut Cavusoglu, the Turkish Foreign Minister on the 4th of January this year; and then it was followed by a meeting this week with the Iranian Foreign Minister, Amir-Abdollahian making the visit in Turkey.
Syrian President raised the prerequisite to peace with Turkey, with calls for Turkey to “end Turkish occupation” in parts of Syria.
But Turkey keen to keep all cards on the tabled, warned on 14th January, via Erdogan’s Foreign Policy adviser Ibrahim Kalin – that Turkey is still open to launching ground offensive in Syria – but made a disclaimer in that statement, saying that Turkey will never target Syrian state or Syrian civilian.
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