Duma committee: Northern Syria Turkish operation hypothesis subsided

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The Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, Leonid Slutsky, said on Tuesday that "the hypothesis of conducting the Turkish military operation in northern Syria has somehow subsided by itself."

In a statement to Al Mayadeen, Slutsky said, "Opening an official military front against the PKK and confronting the opponent everywhere may be unsafe for the general population in different regions," adding, "We regularly talk about this issue with representatives of Ankara," and it will be discussed in detail in Tehran.

Slutsky also noted that "Sometimes the Astana trio has some contradictions, but this is normal for sovereign countries," stressing that "the Astana platform is the only correct and stable formula, as the experience of cooperation in recent years has shown a lasting peaceful future for Syria." The chairman further highlighted that "The leaders of the three countries will find the right solution."

Earlier today, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei told Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, "Any military attack on northern Syria will bring harm to Syria and Turkey and will benefit the terrorists," adding that "We consider Turkey's security and borders to be our security, and you should consider Syria to be your security, and the Syrian issue should be resolved through negotiations, and Iran, Turkey, Syria, and Russia should end this issue through dialogue."

On July 19, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said, ahead of the summit conference of the countries sponsoring the Astana talks in Tehran, that "reducing tension in the conflict areas in Syria, and managing the new security crisis between Ankara and Damascus will be among its most important axes."

Furthermore, it was reported that Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad will arrive in Tehran on Tuesday as the Astana Summit brews. 

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