Erdogan awaits Assad’s response for potential Syria-Turkey normalization
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Saturday that he is waiting for a response from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad regarding efforts to improve relations between the two countries.
“We have also expressed our willingness to meet with Bashar al-Assad to normalize relations between Turkey and Syria. Now we are waiting for a response from the other side. We are ready for this,” Erdogan stated.
“To end this tension and bring peace and stability to all of Syria, steps that Turkey and Syria can take together are crucial… Millions of people outside of Syria are waiting to return to their homeland,” Erdogan said during a press conference in Istanbul.
This comes as there is increasing pressure in Turkey to expel around three million Syrian refugees.
In July, Erdogan hinted at a potential meeting with al-Assad, just a month after the Syrian President expressed openness to discussions with Turkey during a meeting with a Russian delegation.
Al-Assad, however, has consistently demanded that Turkish forces completely leave Syria before considering any improvement in relations.
Erdogan has supported opposition factions against al-Assad since the start of the Syrian war, including groups with extremist affiliations.
Additionally, Turkey has conducted multiple military operations in Syria, and currently occupies large areas in the north.