Quartet of Syrian-Turkish Normalization to Meet in Moscow on May 10

Meeting at the level of defense ministers of Syria, Türkiye, Iran, and Russia in Moscow on (Russian Defense Ministry – AFP)
Meeting at the level of defense ministers of Syria, Türkiye, Iran, and Russia in Moscow on (Russian Defense Ministry – AFP)
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Quartet of Syrian-Turkish Normalization to Meet in Moscow on May 10

Meeting at the level of defense ministers of Syria, Türkiye, Iran, and Russia in Moscow on (Russian Defense Ministry – AFP)
Meeting at the level of defense ministers of Syria, Türkiye, Iran, and Russia in Moscow on (Russian Defense Ministry – AFP)

The foreign ministers of the quartet Russia, Syria, Türkiye, and Iran will meet in Moscow on May 10 to advance the normalization path between Damascus and Ankara and address several issues related to enhancing the chances of a political settlement, a Russian diplomatic source told Asharq Al-Awsat.

The diplomat said that intensive meetings are taking place in Moscow and the concerned capitals to finalize the arrangements for this meeting, stressing that experts in all relevant Russian institutions continue to work daily to ensure its success.

They also set an agenda to enhance the recovery and settle the outstanding issues between Syria and Türkiye.

He pointed out that the deadline for the ministerial meeting has been set on May 10, and Moscow will invite the ministers accordingly.

The source also expressed the conviction that the settlement of Turkish-Syrian relations is taking place steadily, and all attempts to obstruct it will fail.

He indicated that recovery in Syria at all levels couldn’t happen without basing it on the settlement of relations between Syria and Türkiye and the return to good neighborliness, cooperation, and mutual benefit.

Moscow calls on all parties, especially Damascus, to help advance the Russian efforts, said the source.

“We hope that all parties will deal responsibly and work seriously to ensure the success of the Russian initiative and implement the steps resulting from the Astana Group meetings, the quadripartite ministerial meetings, and the outputs of the Arab ministerial meeting, recently held in Amman," he added.

The diplomat stressed that Russia supports the outcomes of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers in Amman and considers it a step towards helping Syria to get out of its crisis.

He asserted that advancing the path of normalizing Arab relations with Syria constitutes an additional important step that complements the Russian efforts to normalize relations between Damascus and Ankara.

On April 25, Moscow hosted a meeting at the level of defense ministers and intelligence chiefs of Syria, Türkiye, Iran, and Russia to discuss normalization between Damascus and Ankara.



Israel Strikes Beirut's Southern Suburbs once Again

Smoke billows over Beirut's southern suburbs after an Israeli strike, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Baabda, Lebanon November 16, 2024. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani
Smoke billows over Beirut's southern suburbs after an Israeli strike, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Baabda, Lebanon November 16, 2024. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani
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Israel Strikes Beirut's Southern Suburbs once Again

Smoke billows over Beirut's southern suburbs after an Israeli strike, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Baabda, Lebanon November 16, 2024. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani
Smoke billows over Beirut's southern suburbs after an Israeli strike, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Baabda, Lebanon November 16, 2024. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani

Israeli airstrikes hit Beirut’s Haret Hreik area in the southern suburbs again on Friday after evacuation warnings were issued to residents prior to the attacks by an Israeli spokesman.
The Israeli army issued evacuation orders to residents in the areas of al-Hadath and Haret Hreik, as well as several villages in Lebanon’s south requesting they move to north of Awwali River.
When it issues such a warning, Israel cites alleged presence of Hezbollah fighters or infrastructure in civilian areas as a justification for its airstrikes.
Avichay Adraee, spokesperson for the Israeli army, issued an evacuation warning to the residents of the towns of Tayba, Aadchit, Qusayr, and Deir Seryan, as well as to the residents of the towns of Burj al-Shamali and Maashuq in southern Lebanon.
He also requested the evacuation of residents from specific buildings in Hadath and Haret Hreik in the southern suburbs of Beirut.

Later during the day, Lebanon’s health ministry said two medics were killed in the Israeli strikes on a southern Lebanon town.

Israeli attacks have killed at least 3,583 people and wounded 15,244 in Lebanon since October 2023, with 25 fatalities reported on Wednesday, the Lebanese health ministry said on Thursday.