Turkish intervention blocks Syria’s national dialogue

The Syrian Transitional Government continues to evade negotiation rounds with representatives of northern and eastern Syria in Paris, which are intended to implement the provisions of the March 10 agreement signed between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Transitional Government. Despite Paris and Washington’s efforts to advance the political dialogue, indicating persistent obstacles to national reconciliation and growing Turkish pressure on the transitional process.

The Transitional Government has twice announced its refusal to participate in the upcoming Paris meeting with North and East Syria representatives, citing most recently the convening of the “Unity of Position Conference for the Components of Northern and Eastern Syria,” shortly after the unexpected arrival of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Damascus and his meetings with Ahmad al-Sharaa and Asaad al-Sheibani.

The visit of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to Damascus on August 8, followed by visits of the Transitional Government’s defense and foreign ministers to Turkey on August 13, sent clear signals of Turkish interference and attempts to obstruct any rapprochement between the Transitional Government and northern and eastern Syria.

Recent statements by the Transitional Government’s Foreign Minister, which accuse the SDF, as well as remarks by the Turkish Foreign Minister during their joint press conference, reveal the extent of Turkish interference and its role in blocking any national reconciliation among Syrians.

Previously, the Transitional Government justified its absence from the Paris meeting scheduled for July 25 by citing the events in As-Suwayda, while the SDF Commander-in-Chief, Mazloum Abdi, stated that the postponement occurred after official notification from the French side that the Transitional Government was occupied with the As-Suwayda issue.

Despite this, neither Paris nor Washington issued an official response to the latest refusal, although the French Foreign Ministry emphasized on August 12 the necessity of continuing the dialogue, considering the integration of the SDF into the Syrian army a core matter for strengthening stability and combating terrorism.

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ANHA