Syrian–Turkish normalization explained

Date:December 2022 – ongoing
Location:Russia, Syria, Turkey
Also Known As:Normalizing relations between Syria and Turkey
Cause:Refugee crisis,[1] separatism, economic crisis
Patrons:PM Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani[2]
Alexander Lavrentiev
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Participants: Iraq


Turkey
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The Syrian–Turkish normalization refers to attempts to restore Syria–Turkey relations that were damaged in the wake of the Syrian crisis. Turkey was considered a strong ally of Syria prior to the year 2011. Diplomatic ties between the two nations have been severed as of 26 March 2012.

The initial explicit endeavor can be traced back to August 2022, when Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu articulated the potential for restoring Turkish-Syrian ties to their former state. This was contingent upon the Syrian government offering assurances of positive neighborly interactions, including measures to safeguard borders and combat terrorism and separatist activities.

The Syrian government's position is that there will be no progress in the negotiations unless Ankara withdraws its forces from Syrian territory.[3] The parties sponsoring the Turkish-Syrian reconciliation are seeking to convene a summit between the two nations leaders. The opposition Syrian National Coalition neither supports nor opposes the initiative. In December 2022, a trilateral summit was held in Moscow between the defense ministers of Syria, Turkey, and Russia.[4] On July 7, 2024, Turkish President Erdoğan stated that he could invite Assad to a meeting in Turkey at any time.[5]

Background

See also: Turkish involvement in the Syrian civil war.

The relationship between Syria and Turkey deteriorated significantly in the early 2010s, particularly after the outbreak of the Syrian Civil War in 2011. Initially, Turkey had cultivated close ties with Syria under the leadership of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Bashar al-Assad, emphasizing economic cooperation and diplomatic engagement. However, Turkey's support for the Syrian opposition and its demand for Assad's resignation in response to the Syrian government's violent crackdown on protests led to a severe rift between the two countries. This was evident in the Ankara's declaration of 26 March 2012 to shut down its embassy in Damascus to show disapproval of Assad.[6] However, the consulate in Aleppo remained open.[7] In June 2012, the Syrian Armed Forces shot down a Turkish fighter plane over Syrian territorial waters.[8] Turkey became a key player in supporting anti-Assad factions, hosting millions of Syrian refugees, and allowing its territory to be used by rebel groups, further deepening tensions. The conflict escalated as Turkey became increasingly involved in military operations in northern Syria, aimed at both countering Kurdish groups it considers terrorist organizations and mitigating the influx of refugees. The involvement of Russia and Iran on the side of the Syrian government also complicated Turkey’s position, contributing to the strain in Syrian-Turkish relations.

However, by the early 2020s, regional dynamics began shifting. Turkey, facing economic challenges and a complex geopolitical landscape, signaled a willingness to normalize relations with neighboring countries, including Syria. The rebuilding of ties was driven by pragmatic considerations, such as addressing security concerns along the border, managing refugee flows, and economic pressures. Talks brokered by Russia and other regional actors, as well as a broader trend of rapprochement in the Middle East, led to incremental steps toward improving relations. By 2022, while full normalization had not yet been achieved, there were noticeable efforts to reduce hostilities and open channels of communication between Ankara and Damascus.

Issues

Refugees

A major catalyst for Turkey's rapprochement with Bashar al-Assad's government is the refugee crisis that has been ongoing for 13 years. Recently, Turkish political parties and forces expressed their desire to return Syrian refugees.[9] Clashes and acts of violence between Turkish citizens and Syrian residents in Turkey have led to tension between the Syrian opposition and the Turkish authorities. The presence of millions of refugees also creates burdens on the Turkish economy, which is facing difficulties. The safe return of refugees to major cities is one of Türkiye's conditions for resuming relations.

Separatism

It is acknowledged that both parties are concerned about the separatist aspirations demonstrated by the autonomous administration in northeastern Syria, which was established in 2016.[10] The SDF aims to organize elections in this area, a proposal vehemently opposed by Ankara.[11]

Syrian reconciliation

Turkey calls for a solution to the Syrian conflict based on negotiations between the official opposition and the government in Damascus that lead to a comprehensive national unity government.

Timeline

Reactions

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Turkey Hosts Syria Opposition After Outreach to Assad. 3 January 2023. Voice of America. 18 June 2024. 18 June 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240618040315/https://www.voanews.com/a/turkey-hosts-syria-opposition-after-outreach-to-assad/6903482.html. live.
  2. Web site: Iraqi PM says Baghdad works on Syria-Turkey reconciliation. 1 June 2024. 18 June 2024. 14 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240814092034/https://npasyria.com/en/83910/. live.
  3. Web site: Syria says no dialogue with Turkey before Ankara announces plans to withdraw its troops. 4 June 2024. AP News. 18 June 2024. 18 June 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240618005930/https://apnews.com/article/iran-syria-turkey-kurdish-military-a5560a37921929690106409fbd2373a3. live.
  4. Web site: Russian, Syrian, Turkish defence ministers meet in Moscow for first talks since 2011. 28 December 2022. France 24. 18 June 2024. 20 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230320195307/https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20221228-russian-syrian-turkish-defence-ministers-meet-in-moscow-for-first-talks-since-2011. live.
  5. News: 7 July 2024 . Erdogan to invite Assad for talks to restore Turkey-Syria ties . 3 August 2024 . Reuters.
  6. Web site: Turkey shuts embassy in Syria to isolate Assad | Reuters.
  7. Web site: Turkey temporarily closes its embassy in Damascus. 26 March 2012. The Times of Israel.
  8. Web site: Syrian military says it downed Turkish fighter jet. 22 June 2012. www.bbc.com. 18 June 2024. 5 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230305140140/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-18561219. live.
  9. Web site: 2024-07-05 . Turkey’s main opposition leader hopes to meet with Assad to discuss refugee problem . 2024-08-03 . Turkish Minute . en-US . 14 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240814092212/https://www.turkishminute.com/2024/07/05/turkeys-main-opposition-leader-hopes-to-meet-with-assad-to-discuss-refugee-problem/ . live .
  10. Web site: Kurds fear 'everything will change' if Syria, Turkey reconcile | Reuters. 18 June 2024. 3 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221203214249/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/kurds-fear-everything-will-change-if-syria-turkey-reconcile-2022-09-21/. live.
  11. Web site: Turkey signals a new military intervention in Syria if Kurdish groups hold local elections. 30 May 2024. AP News. 18 June 2024. 18 June 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240618185207/https://apnews.com/article/turkey-syria-military-intervention-kurdish-election-aa75820d804c8888d41b8c7afbc567f9. live.
  12. Web site: Assad opponents in Syria protest Turkish 'reconciliation' call | Reuters.
  13. Web site: Turkey has no preconditions for dialogue with Syria - foreign minister | Reuters.
  14. Web site: Turkish, Syrian intelligence chiefs meet: reports. 18 June 2024. 14 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240814092714/https://www.newarab.com/news/turkish-syrian-intelligence-chiefs-meet-reports. live.
  15. Web site: Erdogan wanted to meet Syria's Assad - Turkish media | Reuters. 18 June 2024. 8 June 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230608054204/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/erdogan-wanted-meet-syrias-assad-turkish-media-2022-09-16/. live.
  16. Web site: Arab League votes to re-admit Syria, after 11 years of suspension. 7 May 2023. Le Monde. 18 June 2024. 14 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240814092705/https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2023/05/07/arab-league-votes-to-re-admit-syria-after-11-years-of-suspension_6025780_4.html. live.
  17. Web site: Turkey's Erdoğan says he is open to meeting with Syria's Assad.
  18. Web site: 19 July 2023 . Damascus-Ankara normalisation would deepen Syrian crisis, warns Kurdish-led SDF . 18 June 2024 . 14 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240814092721/https://medyanews.net/damascus-ankara-normalisation-would-deepen-syrian-crisis-warns-kurdish-led-sdf/ . live .
  19. Web site: Syria's Assad tamps down expectations of closer ties with Turkey, Arab world | Reuters. 18 June 2024. 11 August 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230811053531/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/syrias-assad-tamps-down-expectations-closer-ties-with-turkey-arab-world-2023-08-09/. live.
  20. Web site: BAHÇELİ, ESAD’LA İŞBİRLİĞİ ÇAĞRISI YAPTI. 28 May 2024. Adımlar Dergisi. 18 June 2024. 14 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240814092710/https://adimlardergisi.com/2024/05/28/bahceli-esadla-isbirligi-cagrisi-yapti/. live.
  21. Web site: Syrian, Turkish officials to meet in Baghdad soon. 6 June 2024.
  22. Web site: Iran praises possible rapprochement between Syria and Turkey. Al Jazeera. 18 June 2024. 14 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240814092721/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/1/13/iran-praises-rapprochement-between-its-ally-syria-and-turkey. live.

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