The former Turkish ambassador in Damascus: Türkiye abandoned the idea of Syria without Assad
The former Turkish ambassador to Damascus, Ömer Önhon, expressed that Türkiye, as an influential regional power, has abandoned the idea of “Syria without Assad” and is now seeking a cooperative relationship with Damascus.
This came after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s statements about the possibility of restoring relations and meeting with Syrian President Bashar al Assad.
Önhon explained that the tension between Ankara and Damascus has calmed significantly, noting that Erdogan has shown a willingness to restore relations with Syria and its president, while Assad spoke a day earlier of his openness to initiatives related to the relationship with Türkiye.
The former ambassador stressed that Türkiye recognizes the importance of dealing with Assad to resolve the refugee issue, noting that Assad can contribute to developing a roadmap for the return of Syrians remaining in Türkiye.
Major players such as Türkiye, Iran, the United States and Russia, as well as some Arab countries, have a crucial role in determining Syria’s future.
Önhon pointed out that the Russian mediation led to developments in the economic field, such as the reopening of the Abu al Zindeen crossing, which connects areas controlled by the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army and Damascus east of Aleppo, which boosts trade between the two areas.
It’s worth mentioning that, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stressed the possibility of restoring diplomatic relations with Syria, noting that he has already met with Syrian President Bashar al Assad in the past, and there is nothing to prevent the renewal of the meeting in the near future.
Erdogan stressed after Friday prayers, “Turkish-Syrian relations were good in the past, and I have met Assad before, and it’s possible that we will meet again in the next stage, and we are ready for that”.
“We’re ready to work to develop relations with Syria just as we have done in the past, and we have no intention or goal to interfere in Syria’s internal affairs,” he added.
