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Ankara-Damascus Normalization Path Sees No Progress

The Russian and Turkish presidents during a press conference in Sochi on Monday (Turkish Presidency - AFP)
The Russian and Turkish presidents during a press conference in Sochi on Monday (Turkish Presidency - AFP)
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Ankara-Damascus Normalization Path Sees No Progress

The Russian and Turkish presidents during a press conference in Sochi on Monday (Turkish Presidency - AFP)
The Russian and Turkish presidents during a press conference in Sochi on Monday (Turkish Presidency - AFP)

Statements made by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, after the summit that brought him together with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in Sochi on Monday, reflected obstructions to the normalization of relations between Damascus and Ankara.

The Turkish President harshly criticized his Syrian counterpart, Bashar al-Assad, and blamed him for not achieving progress in the path of normalization, which is sponsored by Moscow, with the participation of Tehran.

Erdogan told reporters on his way back from Sochi that Assad was “watching the steps taken in the Türkiye-Russia-Iran-Syria format regarding normalization from afar.”

“In other words, he does not take part in the work. We, on the other hand, opened our doors to these efforts... However, there is still no positive attitude on the Syrian side,” he said.

The Turkish president was also cited as saying normalization was possible if there was progress on the fight against terrorism, on the safe and voluntary return of refugees and on the political process.

“The fight against terrorism, the political process, and the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of refugees are being discussed comprehensively at the quartet foreign ministers’ meeting. If progress is made in this way, normalization of relations with the Syrian regime is also possible,” Erdogan added.

There has been a stalemate in the process of normalizing relations between Türkiye and Syria since the last meetings of their deputy foreign ministers with their Russian and Iranian counterparts, on the sidelines of the 20th meeting of the Astana track on June 20-21.

Damascus has insisted on the withdrawal of Turkish forces from northern Syria as a condition for starting any normalization steps, while Ankara declared that this was a red line, claiming that the Syrian army was unable to guarantee border security and prevent terrorist threats against Türkiye.

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Arab World

Outrage in Yemen Over Houthi Takeover of Sanaa University Land

A schematic of the area that the Houthi group decided to allocate to an investor (X)
A schematic of the area that the Houthi group decided to allocate to an investor (X)
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Outrage in Yemen Over Houthi Takeover of Sanaa University Land

A schematic of the area that the Houthi group decided to allocate to an investor (X)
A schematic of the area that the Houthi group decided to allocate to an investor (X)

The decision to transfer land from Sanaa University to investors connected with the Houthi group has caused outrage among Yemen’s academics and raised fears that other state lands and facilities could be targeted in the same way.
A recently leaked document shows that Mahdi al-Mashat, head of the so-called Supreme Political Council (the Houthis’ ruling body), ordered the allocation of 10,000 libnah (about 44.44 square meters for each libnah) of the university’s land to an unknown individual, Abdu Ali Hadi, for medical investment projects.
In late May, a directive ordered the allocation of an additional 40,000 libnah of land to Abdu Ali Hadi in the Bani Matar area west of Sanaa. This was proposed by the same individual who received land from Sanaa University.
University academics told Asharq Al-Awsat that these actions are seen as a deliberate attack on higher education, aimed at blocking the university’s future expansion.
One academic criticized the decision, noting that there are plenty of state-owned lands in and around Sanaa that could be used for development, but they are controlled and misused by the Houthi group.
The academic argued that targeting the university’s land suggests a systematic effort to weaken the educational system and turn its institutions into tools for promoting the Houthi agenda.
In recent years, al-Mashat has ordered the transfer of parts of Sanaa University’s land and buildings to the Endowment Authority, a Houthi-controlled body. This was widely criticized by academics and students as an attempt to plunder the university.
Another academic noted that the university’s Houthi-led administration has remained silent about these actions, suggesting a coordinated effort among Houthi leaders to misuse the university’s assets as part of their broader strategy to seize public property.
A third academic noted that before the Houthi takeover, corruption at Sanaa University involved only leasing land for the university’s benefit. In contrast, under al-Mashat, land is being allocated to individuals, benefiting specific people rather than the university.
The academic pointed out that previous corrupt officials did not dare to systematically target the university as the Houthis do, aiming to deprive the community of education and exploit public resources.
A university faculty member also recalled that three years ago, the Houthi administration decided to sell some university land to support combat fronts. The faculty member regretted that this decision was not well-publicized and the fate of the land remains unknown.
Criticism of the land decision has not only come from academics and social figures opposed to the Houthis but also from within the Houthi ranks. Some Houthi leaders and activists have expressed dissatisfaction and called for the decision to be reversed and for al-Mashat to be held accountable.
Pro-Houthi lawyer Hashim Sharaf al-Din has threatened to sue al-Mashat, arguing that the decision to allocate university land is illegal. He claimed it violates multiple laws, including those governing public institutions and state property, and has pledged to take legal action to overturn the decision.