The defense ministers of Russia, Turkey and Syria met in Moscow on Wednesday, the very first such talks since a war broke out in Syria, the Russian Defense Ministry said.It was likewise the very first conference in between Turkish and Syrian defense ministers considering that the start of the war in 2011.
Russia and Turkey are associated with Syria, with Moscow supporting the Damascus routine against its opponents, and Ankara support rebels.The meeting came as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly threatened to release a military offensive in northern Syria versus Kurdish groups.Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and his Turkish and Syrian equivalents, Hulusi Akar and Ali Mahmoud Abbas, went over ways to solve the Syrian crisis, the issue of refugees, and joint efforts to fight extremist groups in Syria, said the Russian Defense Ministry.The sides kept in mind the useful nature of the dialogue kept in this format and the need to continue it in the interests of further stabilizing the scenario in Syria and the region, the Defense Ministry in Moscow said.The Turkish Defense Ministry struck a comparable note, stating the meeting was kept in a constructive environment.
At the conference, the Syrian crisis, the refugee problem and collaborations to combat all terrorist companies in Syria were discussed, the ministry stated in a statement.
On Saturday, Akar informed press reporters that Turkey remained in talks with Russia about utilizing Syrian airspace in a possible operation against the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia.
We are holding discussions with the Russians about the opening of the airspace in Syria, he said.The Turkish and Syrian foreign ministers had a short informal exchange on the sidelines of a local summit in 2021 and Ankara had actually acknowledged contacts in between intelligence services of the 2 countries.In November, Erdogan stated a conference with Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad was a possibility, after cutting diplomatic ties with Damascus throughout the 11-year conflict.In mid-December, he indicated that he could meet with Assad after the two countries defense and foreign ministers meet.
We want to take a step as Syria, Turkey and Russia, he stated at the time.