A convoy carrying Turkish intelligence (MİT) chief İbrahim Kalın was intercepted by a group of protesters on Sunday in Azez, northern Syria, as reported by Syrian journalists Ayman Abdel Nour.
These protesters, opposing Bashar Assad’s regime and critical of the Turkey-backed interim government and the Syrian National Army (SNA), believed the convoy contained opposition figures. The event, later detailed by Turkish journalists Hediye Levent and Fehim Taştekin based on various sources, brings to light the internal tensions within the Turkey-backed Syrian opposition forces and also between the civilians.
Fehim Taştekin described the event as significant, noting the absence of official statements from Turkey’s supported Syrian National Coalition or the interim government. He shared that, according to sources, the convoy attended an iftar (fast breaking dinner during Ramadan) with opposition members in Azez, intended to discuss the current situation and listen to grievances.
However, as the convoy attempted to return to Turkey via the Bab al-Salameh border crossing, it was intercepted by an angry group in the Sajjo area, forcing it to change direction. The incident sparked a significant response, including the mobilisation of Turkish-backed SNA factions and the intervention of Turkish special forces.
According to journalist Sarkis Kassargian, along with Kalın, the convoy included Abu Saeed, who is “responsible for the Syrian dossier”, and a high-level Qatari delegation accompanying them.
In response to the blockade, the SNA mobilised to search for the 20 individuals who stopped the convoy, with Turkish special forces also reported to have entered the area. The protest, organised by Al Shahba group, aimed at critiquing the interim government’s policies.
The incident occurs in an atmosphere in which negotiations between Turkey and the Syrian government have effectively halted. Despite several attempts by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to reconcile the two countries, an agreement could not be reached due to Turkey’s insistence on “no conditions” being imposed, in contrast to the Syrian side’s consistent stance.
Syrian officials have stated that any steps towards normalising relations between Damascus and Ankara can only proceed once Turkey agrees to withdraw the troops it has stationed in the opposition-held northwest.
