Turkey 'may withdraw' troops from Syria 'if border secured': MoD
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Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler stated that Turkey is ready to "provide all possible assistance when it comes to a comprehensive constitution, free elections, full-scale normalization and ensuring security [in Syria].
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Turkish occupation forces deploy in Syria's northern region of Manbij, Syria, Oct. 14, 2019 (AP Photo, File)
According to Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler, Turkey may consider removing troops from Syria only if "the security of its border is guaranteed."
The minister was quoted by TRT Habber citing after the EFES-2024 drills that Turkey is "ready to provide all possible assistance when it comes to a comprehensive constitution, free elections, full-scale normalization and ensuring security [in Syria]. Only once this is accomplished and our border is fully secured, we will be able to consider withdrawing troops, if necessary."
Turkey, Syria normalization impossible amid situation in Gaza: Lavrov
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated in March that any real moves to improve relations between Turkey and Syria are now difficult due to the ongoing war on Gaza.
During the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Lavrov explained that "practical steps" were not possible at the moment due to events in Gaza "directly affecting" all participants in the process.
The Foreign Minister reiterated Russia's interest in "promoting the normalization of relations between Syria and Turkey ... We have been working on this and, in fact, we continue to work on it."
Lavrov went on to say that the United States' bombardment of certain pro-Iranian sites, as well as its strikes on Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, are a diversion from this process.
In October, Syrian Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bassam Sabbagh, pointed out that Turkey has to withdraw its military forces from Syria or else it will ruin any efforts toward any kind of relations.
"Turkey has to withdraw its military forces. Any other aspects, yes, of course, we will be open to discussing with them, but not to do so and to insist on staying - that's an illegal occupation and then this will block all the efforts toward any kind of contact and relations with Turkey," Sabbagh said in an interview for Sputnik.
A couple of months ago, the head of the Syrian delegation to Moscow and Assistant Foreign Minister Ayman Sousan considered that Turkey's official announcement that it would withdraw its forces from all Syrian territory is "the gateway to re-establish communication between the two sides."
In a different context, the Syrian Vice Minister also slammed the unilateral sanctions against Syria as inhuman, illegal, and requiring unconditional lifting.
In late September, Sputnik cited an informed source as saying that the US has taken a series of economic measures aimed at deterring Arab nations' efforts to reengage with Damascus, causing the Arab League's special committee to halt contacts with Syria.
At the level of the United Nations, the Syrian diplomat said the Security Council is not mirroring the geopolitical composition of today’s world, adding that developing countries need to have a representation within the body.
