Syrian Foreign Minister: No normalization with Turkey without withdrawal from Syria and Iraq

DARAMSUQ — Despite ongoing discussions about a potential Turkish–Syrian normalization, the Syrian regime remains firm in its demands. Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad declared that Syria will not engage with Turkey until Turkish forces withdraw from both Syria and Iraq.

Mekdad’s statements came during a press conference at the Syrian embassy in Cairo, following the Syrian regime delegation’s withdrawal from an Arab Foreign Ministers meeting while Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan was delivering his speech.

Mekdad emphasized that the restoration of relations with Turkey hinges on the Turkish withdrawal from what he referred to as “Arab territories” occupied in Syria and Iraq.

On Egypt’s potential role in mediating between Turkey and Syria, Mekdad expressed confidence, noting that Syria and Egypt share a 90% consensus on nearly all issues and that Egypt will act in Syria’s best interest.

In recent years, Turkey has sought to normalize relations with Syria. However, Syria has outlined strict conditions, including the withdrawal of Turkish troops from Syrian territory and the end of Turkish support for terrorist factions in northern Syria.