Turkish, Syrian Defense Ministers To Meet in Moscow

Defence ministers and intelligence chiefs from Turkey, Russia, Iran, and Syria will meet in Moscow on Tuesday to discuss resolving issues through negotiation and establishing peace and stability in the region.

The meeting aims to strengthen engagement between Turkey and Damascus, which could reshape the Syrian war.

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on Monday; “Our aim is to resolve the problems here through negotiations and to ensure peace and tranquillity prevail in the region as soon as possible.”

He reiterated that the defence ministers and intelligence heads of Türkiye, Russia and Syria had come together on December 28, during which it was agreed that such meetings should continue.

Turkey aims to fight against terrorism and to ensure the safe and voluntary return of Syrians from Turkey to their homeland. 

The meeting between the defence ministers and intelligence chiefs could mark a significant development in the Syrian conflict, with the potential to reshape the decadelong war.

Since 2016, Turkey has launched several counterterrorism operations across its border in northern Syria to prevent the formation of a terror corridor and enable the peaceful settlement of residents.

Turkish officials have voiced that it could cooperate with Syria on the return of Syrian refugees in Turkey and counterterrorism efforts, as the PKK/YPG still controls much of the war-torn country’s east, making it impossible for Syria to establish territorial integrity.