Fidan claims Turkiye convinced Russia, Iran not to act in Syria

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
14 Dec 2024 11:56
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Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has said that Ankara played a key role in convincing Russia and Iran to refrain from military intervention in Syria during the offensive by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

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Turkish Foreign Affairs Minister Hakan Fidan delivers a speech during a handover ceremony in Ankara. (AFP)

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that Ankara successfully persuaded Russia and Iran to avoid military intervention in response to the offensive led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA), which resulted in the collapse of the Syrian regime.

Speaking on Turkish TV, Fidan emphasized the importance of diplomatic efforts to prevent further bloodshed.

Addressing concerns over Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, he confirmed that Turkiye maintains open communication with the group to directly address regional fears, underscoring the need for a solution to these concerns.

Turkiye reopens embassy in Damascus after over a decade

Turkiye announced on Friday that its embassy in Damascus, Syria, will reopen on Saturday after being closed for over a decade due to the war on Syria.

Burhan Koroglu, appointed as the interim charge d'affaires, and his staff were dispatched to Syria earlier in the day, marking a significant step in Turkey's re-engagement with Syria.

At the time, Fidan confirmed the move in an interview with NTV, stating, "The embassy will be operational tomorrow."

This comes shortly after Fidan suggested that conditions were now favorable for reopening diplomatic channels following the recent overthrow of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad in a swift offensive.

A new diplomatic chapter

The Turkish embassy in Damascus had been closed since March 26, 2012, amid escalating violence during the early stages of the war on Syria and Ankara's calls for Assad to step down, as it also played a key role in supplying and harboring opposition and armed groups at the time.

Koroglu, who was appointed to the temporary post on Thursday, previously served as Turkiye’s ambassador to Mauritania.

While Koroglu's tenure in Damascus remains undefined, his appointment signals a cautious yet noteworthy shift in Turkey’s approach to Syria.

The reopening of the embassy reportedly reflects Ankara's intent to recalibrate its foreign policy in light of recent developments in the region.