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Türkiye Reiterates Conditions for Northern Syria Troop Withdrawal

File photo: Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler
File photo: Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler
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Türkiye Reiterates Conditions for Northern Syria Troop Withdrawal

File photo: Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler
File photo: Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler

Türkiye has once again conditioned the withdrawal of its forces from northern Syria on the implementation of several measures related to the adoption of a comprehensive constitution, the holding of free elections, the full restoration of relations, and the implementation of arrangements to ensure the security of the common borders, through mutual coordination.

Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler said on Monday that Ankara and Damascus may hold meetings at the ministerial level, as part of efforts aimed at normalizing relations, if the conditions are suitable.

An official in the Turkish Ministry of Defense also said that communications with Damascus are taking place on more than one level.

In response to a question by Reuters on the possibility of a Turkish pullout from Syria, Guler said: “We are ready to provide all the support we can for a comprehensive constitution to be accepted, for free elections to be held, and for a comprehensive normalization and security atmosphere to be created, and only when these are done and the security of our border is fully ensured will we do what is necessary through mutual coordination.”

Diplomatic sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Guler’s statements reflected the Turkish position and confirmed the path to normalize relations with Syria.

The sources added that Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is maintaining his contacts, under the directives of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to draw up a roadmap for the upcoming meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

All matters can be discussed at the negotiating table without preconditions, the sources noted.

Last month, Erdogan said that he would extend an invitation to Assad to discuss restoring relations between the two countries to what they were before 2011. The Syrian president replied that such talks can only be held within the framework of Syria’s sovereignty, emphasizing the need to focus on fundamental issues, including the withdrawal of Turkish forces from northern Syria.

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Iraq Preoccupied with Potential Broad Israeli Attack

Iraqi PM Mohammed Shi al-Sudani at an emergency national security council meeting. (Iraqi government)
Iraqi PM Mohammed Shi al-Sudani at an emergency national security council meeting. (Iraqi government)
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Iraq Preoccupied with Potential Broad Israeli Attack

Iraqi PM Mohammed Shi al-Sudani at an emergency national security council meeting. (Iraqi government)
Iraqi PM Mohammed Shi al-Sudani at an emergency national security council meeting. (Iraqi government)

Baghdad has been preoccupied this week with serious possibilities that Israel may expand its war on Gaza and Lebanon by striking several targets in Iraq in retaliation to attacks by Iran-backed armed factions.

Concern has been high that Israel may attack government buildings, oil fields and strategic locations, not just the positions of the armed factions that have previously launched attacks against Israel, said sources close to the pro-Iran ruling Coordination Framework.

Media sources have spoken of government speculation that Iraq could come under “300 Israeli attacks”.

The fears in Iraq have been compounded by an Israeli complaint to the United Nations Security Council against seven armed factions and holding Baghdad responsible for the attacks they have carried out against it.

This prompted the government, through the foreign ministry, to send an official letter to the Security Council, UN Secretary-General, Arab League and Organization of Islamic Cooperation in response to the Israeli threats.

The ministry said on Saturday that Iraq is “the cornerstone of stability in the region and world and it is one of the countries that are most committed to the UN Charter.”

“The Zionist entity’s letter to the Security Council is part of a systematic policy aimed at creating claims and excuses in an attempt to expand the conflict in the region.”

It said Iraq has turned to the Security Council out of Iraq’s keenness on the international body carrying out its duty in maintaining international peace and security and the need to rein in the “Zionist aggression in Gaza and Lebanon.”

Moreover, it stressed that Iraq has been keen on exercising restraint when it comes to the use of its airspace to attack a neighboring country.

Israel has used Iraqi airspace to launch attacks against Iran in October.

Iraq underscored the importance of the international community stepping in to “stop this hostile behavior that is a flagrant violation of international law.”

It called for international efforts to stop the Israeli escalation in the region and ensure that international laws and treaties are respected to consolidate security and stability.

Meanwhile, a source close to the Coordination Framework said the main Shiite parties are taking the Israeli threats “very seriously”, urging Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's government to take “all the necessary measures to avert a potential Israeli strike.”

All leaders of armed factions, as well as Shiite leaders, have taken up alternative locations and are moving under great secrecy, confirming that they have changed the majority of their military positions, said the source.

It also dismissed claims that Israeli jets have overflown Iraq, saying nothing has been confirmed, but not ruling out the possibility, especially since US forces have control over Iraqi skies and Iraq is helpless against stopping these violations.

Iraq had submitted a formal complaint to the UN and Security Council over Israel’s use and violation of its airspace to attack Iran.

Analyst and former diplomat Ghazi Faisal said the pro-Iran armed factions have been gathering their forces in the Sinjar province, which is strategic for Iran’s arms deliveries and logistic support to Syria where attacks can be carried out against American forces and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

Sinjar is one of the most important strategic bases for the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps, he added.

Furthermore, he noted that the armed factions insist on continuing the war against Israel, rejecting government calls for calm and neutrality.

The government’s statements are aimed at delivering a message that it “is not directly responsible for the strategy of these factions,” which follow Iran’s policies.

Iraq has repeatedly said that it refuses for its territory to be used to attack another country, but some observers believe that it may allow Iran to do so should Israel strike.