Turkey Warns Against Disturbing North Syria’s Fragile Balance

Smoke billows after an attack on the Idlib countryside in northwestern Syria. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Smoke billows after an attack on the Idlib countryside in northwestern Syria. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Turkey Warns Against Disturbing North Syria’s Fragile Balance

Smoke billows after an attack on the Idlib countryside in northwestern Syria. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Smoke billows after an attack on the Idlib countryside in northwestern Syria. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Turkey has warned that targeting civilians and harming stability in Syria prevents a lasting solution to the conflict in the war-torn country.

Turkey’s National Security Council stressed that targeting civilians would harm stability in Syria and disturb the “fragile balance” in the region.

In a statement on Thursday, the Council highlighted the responsibility of actors and parties involved in the Syrian conflict to achieve peace, stability and prosperity for Syrians.

Meanwhile, developments in opposition-held Idlib province indicated that there was no significant change in the situation following the meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on Wednesday.

The two presidents held talks in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi and discussed curbing renewed violence in northwest Syria.

They agreed to abide by the previous agreements and understandings, whether on Idlib or northeast Syria.

Erdogan said a roadmap to achieve stability in Idlib is being prepared between both countries’ defense and foreign affairs ministers.

Military escalation resumed on Friday in the de-escalation zone in northwestern Syria after hours of calm in Idlib.

Russian warplanes resumed their aerial bombardment in al-Ziyyarah towns in Sahl al-Ghab in the northwestern countryside of Hama, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported.



UN Condemns Efforts to Undermine Stability in Syria

FILED - 21 September 2023, US, New York: A general view during a UN Security Council meeting. Photo: Michael Kappeler/dpa
FILED - 21 September 2023, US, New York: A general view during a UN Security Council meeting. Photo: Michael Kappeler/dpa
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UN Condemns Efforts to Undermine Stability in Syria

FILED - 21 September 2023, US, New York: A general view during a UN Security Council meeting. Photo: Michael Kappeler/dpa
FILED - 21 September 2023, US, New York: A general view during a UN Security Council meeting. Photo: Michael Kappeler/dpa

The UN Security Council on Monday condemned all forms of negative or destructive interference in Syria’s political, security, and economic transition, noting that such interventions undermine efforts to restore stability in the country.

The Council therefore called on all states to avoid “negative or destructive interference” that could further destabilize the country.

In a statement, the 15-member body repeated its call for “an inclusive, Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process” based on Resolution 2254, to safeguard the rights of all Syrians and enable them to “peacefully, independently and democratically determine their futures.”

The Council further reaffirmed the importance of the United Nations’ role in supporting Syria’s political transition, reiterating its support for the efforts of the office of the United Nations Special Envoy.

Recalling Resolution 2254, the UN body reaffirmed its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity of Syria and called on all States to respect these principles.