Russia Accuses Türkiye of Acting as an ‘Occupying Power’ in Syria

Russia's special envoy for Syria, Alexander Lavrentiev
Russia's special envoy for Syria, Alexander Lavrentiev
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Russia Accuses Türkiye of Acting as an ‘Occupying Power’ in Syria

Russia's special envoy for Syria, Alexander Lavrentiev
Russia's special envoy for Syria, Alexander Lavrentiev

Russia's special envoy for Syria, Alexander Lavrentiev, said on Thursday that Damascus finds it “difficult” to engage in dialogue with Ankara without guarantees from Türkiye regarding troop withdrawal.
“It is difficult for Damascus to enter into dialogue without receiving certain guarantees from Türkiye about the withdrawal of its troops,” the envoy said in an interview with the Russian news agency TASS.
On Wednesday, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a phone conversation with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, diplomatic sources have said.
The conversation focused on bilateral relations and regional developments, including the Syrian crisis and the Russian-led normalization efforts between Ankara and Damascus.
Lavrentiev told TASS that there are no conditions for a meeting between Syria and Turkish Presidents.
Lavrentiev said it was too early to talk about high-level meetings between these two countries. “Certain communication is maintained between the defense ministers. But it is premature to expect communication at a higher level, like it was held virtually 18 months ago when meetings between the foreign and defense ministers of the four countries (Russia, Syria, Türkiye, and Iran) were organized,” he said.
The envoy cited various factors that influence this process, particularly Ankara’s support for the Syrian opposition. Also, according to Lavrentiev, “the main factor remains the withdrawal of the Turkish forces from Syria.”
He said, “Let us call things by their proper names – Türkiye is acting as an occupying power. That is why it is very difficult for Damascus to engage in dialogue without certain guarantees from Ankara concerning the withdrawal of its troops.”

 

 



Israel Says Apprehended Members of Iran-backed Cell in Syria

06 July 2025, Palestinian Territories, Tulkarm: An Israeli soldier enforces a ban as he attempts to enter the Tulkarm refugee camp in the West Bank. Photo: Nasser Ishtayeh/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
06 July 2025, Palestinian Territories, Tulkarm: An Israeli soldier enforces a ban as he attempts to enter the Tulkarm refugee camp in the West Bank. Photo: Nasser Ishtayeh/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
TT
20

Israel Says Apprehended Members of Iran-backed Cell in Syria

06 July 2025, Palestinian Territories, Tulkarm: An Israeli soldier enforces a ban as he attempts to enter the Tulkarm refugee camp in the West Bank. Photo: Nasser Ishtayeh/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
06 July 2025, Palestinian Territories, Tulkarm: An Israeli soldier enforces a ban as he attempts to enter the Tulkarm refugee camp in the West Bank. Photo: Nasser Ishtayeh/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Israel's military said Monday it had apprehended members of an Iran-backed cell in southern Syria, the second such operation it has announced in the past week.

Since the December overthrow of Syria's longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad, Israel has carried out hundreds of air strikes primarily on military sites and carried out cross-border ground raids.

In a statement, the military said troops "completed an overnight operation to apprehend a cell that was operated by the Iranian Quds Force in the Tel Kudna area of southern Syria."

"For the second time in the past week... troops completed a targeted overnight operation and apprehended several operatives who posed a threat in the area," the statement added.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said Israeli forces raided early Monday a village in the Quneitra countryside of southern Syria and "carried out searches targeting several homes, which ended with the arrest of two brothers".

On Wednesday, Israel's military said its forces had apprehended members of an Iranian-backed "terrorist cell" in southern Syria and seized weapons.