Turkey puts conditions to withdraw forces from Syria
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – On Saturday, Turkish Defense Minister Yaser Guler stressed the need for the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to meet several requirements before Turkish forces withdraw from northern Syria.
In an exclusive interview with the Turkish newspaper Milliyet, Guler said, “The requirements include the establishment of a new constitution and the holding of democratic elections, in addition to the formation of a government that represents all Syrian sects.”
On Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian revealed that his country has an action plan for Syria and Turkey regarding withdrawing the Turkish forces from northern Syria.
The action plan requires Ankara to withdraw its forces from Syria in exchange for Damascus pledging to prevent any attack on Turkish territory. “We also proposed to Damascus and Ankara that Iran and Russia be the guarantors of this agreement,” Abdollahian said.
Turkey has for long justified its presence in Syria on the basis that it protects its borders from ‘terrorist’ attacks.
In a meeting with Abdollahianin in Damascus on August 31, al-Assad said that the withdrawal of Turkish troops from Syria is a “precondition” to restore Syrian-Turkish ties, according to the Syrian Presidency.
The Turkish defense minister responded to al-Assad’s demands saying, “The appropriate environment must first be prepared, the Syrian regime must accept the constitution and hold elections, and a government must be established that embraces all the people there. If these conditions are met, of course, we will happily leave.”
Turkey launched three military operations against northern and northeastern areas in Syria. The first was “Euphrates Shield” operation in 2016 where it occupied Jarablus and al-Bab, the second was “Olive Branch” operation in 2018 with which it occupied Afrin, and the third was “Peace Spring” in 2019 which resulted in the occupation of the two cities of Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain) and Tel Abyad with their countryside.