Analyst Hails Turkey’s Decision to Opt for Diplomacy on Syria
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – An Iranian political analyst welcomed Turkey’s decision to participate in political negotiations to end the crisis in Syria, saying Ankara’s interaction with regional players like Iran and Russia, instead of supporting terrorist groups, will result in more isolation of Riyadh.
In an interview with Tasnim, Sa’dollah Zarei, an expert in West Asia developments, highlighted the significance of a recent meeting of foreign ministers of Iran, Russia and Turkey, saying the three-party talks in Moscow demonstrate Ankara’s inclination to engage in political talks and a “regional process with the participation of non-Arab parties”, instead of an extra-regional process with Saudi Arabia, to resolve the crisis in Syria.
This issue could result in the US and Saudi Arabia’s isolation in Syria developments, he added.
Iran’s participation in the talks came after giving an ultimatum to Turkey to stop backing terrorist groups and address issues in cooperation with other states, Zarei explained.
Last week, foreign ministers of Iran, Russia and Turkey gathered in Moscow to coordinate efforts for peace in Syria following the liberation of the city of Aleppo from terrorist groups.
In a statement on December 22, Syria’s army announced it has regained full control over Aleppo, clearing the city from foreign-backed terrorist groups after more than four years of fighting.
Syria has been gripped by civil war since March 2011 with various terrorist groups, including Daesh (also known as ISIS or ISIL), currently controlling parts of it.
According to a report by the Syrian Center for Policy Research, the conflict has claimed the lives of over 470,000 people, injured 1.9 million others, and displaced nearly half of the country’s pre-war population of about 23 million within or beyond its borders.