Syrian Foreign Ministry: Turkey must withdraw its military forces

Syrian Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Bassam Sabbagh has reiterated the withdrawal of Turkish troops from Syria as a condition for diplomatic normalization between Ankara and Damascus. Sabbagh told Sputnik that Turkey must withdraw its troops from Syria, adding that “otherwise it will decimate all efforts for any kind of relations”.

Sabbahg made the following statements: “Turkey has to withdraw its forces. All other aspects, yes, of course, we will be open to discuss with them, but not to do so and to insist on staying is an illegal occupation”. He added that the United Nations Security Council did not reflect the geopolitical composition of today’s world and that developing countries should be represented on the Council. The Security Council must be expanded to reflect today’s realities and developing countries must play an important role in this process, the Vice Minister said.

Bassam Sabbagh underlined that the speeches from developing countries at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly showed that many of them were tired of Western hegemony: “Developing countries are now looking for multipolar leadership. This polarization by the Americans is not accepted anymore”.

Turkish Defense Minister: Withdrawal is ‘illogical’

Last week, Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Güler told the press that Ankara was ready to resume reconciliation talks with the Syrian government, but stressed that Turkey had rejected Syria’s demand for the withdrawal of Turkish troops. The defense minister said it was “illogical” to raise the issue of withdrawal at this time. He noted that Turkey was always ready for dialogue, but that Syria’s demands were “not something that can be accepted immediately”.

Talks between Ankara and Damascus had stalled over the condition of a full withdrawal of Turkish troops occupying northern Syria. Damascus also demanded that Turkey end its support for groups such as the Syrian National Army (SNA). Meanwhile, Ankara has expressed concern over the Syrian army’s inability to secure its border with Turkey in order to legitimize its continued occupation.