“Syria’s patience is running out” with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s duplicity over normalisation with the regime, reported Arabic language news site Al Arab on Thursday.
No intention of withdrawing from northern Syria
Bouthaina Shaaban, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s political adviser in Ankara, has expressed concern that Turkey is “practising deception” in negotiating with Syria, claiming it has no intention of withdrawing Turkish and proxy forces from northern Syria.
Shaaban’s remarks came in response to Erdoğan’s renewed call on 21 September for normalisation of relations.
Shaaban’s critiques align with Assad’s previous stance. In July, the Syrian president stated in an interview that he would only accept a meeting with Erdoğan if Turkey’s support for the Syrian National Army (SNA) in northern Syria and the withdrawal of Turkish forces were on the table.
However, Erdoğan continues to ignore these demands, pushing for negotiations without offering concessions or engaging with the Syrian regime’s position.
Erdoğan’s U-turn
Erdoğan’s current calls for negotiations represent a significant U-turn from Turkey’s previous confrontational stance toward the Assad regime. Throughout the civil war, Turkey has supported opposition groups against Assad and launched military operations in northern Syria. Erdoğan has also publicly called Assad a “dictator”.
However, in June, Erdoğan shifted his stance, beginning overtures for normalisation with Assad’s regime.
Commentators attribute this change of heart to economic considerations and Turkey’s desire to advance its anti-Kurdish policy.
Syrian side expresses ‘anger and impatience’
Shaaban expressed “anger and impatience” over Turkey’s negotiating tactics but affirmed her commitment to pursuing discussions. She stated this during a lecture at the Political Academy of the Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs during an official visit to Oman.
She accused Turkey of using the prospect of rapprochement with Syria for its own benefit, both domestically and in its relationship with NATO. “Turkey is occupying parts of our land, including a dear and resource-rich region in the north-west,” she said.
“When Erdoğan issued statements about rapprochement with Syria before the Turkish presidential elections, it was for electoral purposes. But they have nothing to offer. They attack the Kurds, and we are not friends with them. This is unacceptable,” she continued.
According to Shaaban, “It is up to the Turkish side to agree to begin the withdrawal.”
Al Arab points out that Turkey is intensifying efforts to settle displaced Syrians in areas it occupies, aiming to alter the demographics in its favour. Turkey also continues its aerial bombardment of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), all while seeking a reconciliation with Assad.
Erdoğan’s normalisation plans are unrealistic
Hadi al-Bahra, head of the opposition Syrian National Coalition (SNC), said that Turkey’s ambitions in negotiating with Assad are unrealistic and “far from possible”.
On 19 September, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan acknowledged that obstacles remain to a normalisation agreement between Syria and Turkey. Fidan maintained that Turkey’s occupation of northern Syria is justified by the presence of millions of refugees in these areas.
Many commentators agree that Turkey’s refusal to compromise on its occupation of northern Syria makes normalisation plans with Syria unrealistic.
