Assad regime renewed adherence to its preconditions for advancing the talks with Turkey, denying holding any military or security meetings with Turkey at Hmeimim base.
Al-Watan newspaper quoted sources as saying “Assad regime’s position towards rapprochement with Ankara has not changed, especially showing a willingness to withdraw from Syria and classifying the opposition factions as terrorists.”
Al-Watan newspaper added that what has been circulated about holding meetings at Hmeimim base is false, confirming the unwavering position of Assad regime towards the reproachment process related to Turkey’s withdrawal from the Syrian territories in the first place.
The sources stated that movements to stimulate the rapprochement process between the two sides are ongoing, and Baghdad is playing a clear role in this framework with the support of Saudi Arabia, Russia, China, and Iran, and implicit US approval.
The Turkish newspaper Aydınlık previously revealed that military officials from Turkey and the Assad regime held a meeting at the Hmeimim base on June 11, under the auspices and mediation of Russia.
The meeting focused on the recent developments in Idleb and its surrounding areas, considering it as an important step to resume the talks halted between the two sides, according to the newspaper.
Meanwhile, the Turkish newspaper (Star) reported, cit،ing unnamed sources, that there are no ongoing talks at the intelligence level between Turkey and the Assad regime, and that Ankara told Moscow and Tehran that it will not hold talks with Assad if he comes with preconditions.
