News and analysis: Bozan Karau
On June 11 of this year, and under Russian sponsorship, it was held at the Hmeimim base located on the Syrian coast, between military officials from Turkey and the Syrian regime under Russian auspices. According to reports, the meeting took place at the request of the Turkish side and lasted for an hour and ten minutes, and according to the outcomes it carried several proposals. :
1- Integrating the opposition factions into the Syrian army to fight the Autonomous Administration.
2- Opening the crossings between the regime and the opposition.
3- Türkiye lifts guardianship over the factions that refuse to integrate.
For its part, the Syrian side agreed to the proposals, but under conditions:
1- The Syrian side welcomed the item related to lifting guardianship over the factions it called terrorist
2- The Syrian side requested that the first clause be amended so that the armed forces would lay down their weapons and join the Syrian Arab Army individually in exchange for not being brought to court.
3- The Syrian side repeated its demand that Türkiye withdraw from the territories it occupies
4- Approval to open the crossings
5- The Syrian side added another request, which is the extradition of 150 political figures accused of supporting terrorism who are present on Turkish territory, including 12 people from the Turkish component.
The Turkish delegation asked the Russian side for a period of time to transfer the Syrian side’s proposals to their government for discussion, and they will receive them again in the coming days.
Context and background
Turkish proposals
1. **Integrating the opposition factions into the Syrian army to fight the Autonomous Administration**: This proposal indicates Turkey’s desire to reduce the influence of the Kurdish Autonomous Administration in northeastern Syria by merging the opposition factions with the Syrian regime.
2. **Opening the crossings between the regime and the opposition**: This proposal aims to facilitate the movement of trade and people between areas controlled by the opposition and those controlled by the regime, which could help improve the economic situation.
3. **Turkey lifting guardianship over the factions that reject the merger**: This indicates Turkey’s willingness to stop its support for some factions if they do not accept the terms of the merger.
Syrian reactions
1. **Welcoming the lifting of guardianship over factions considered to be terrorist**: This position reflects the Syrian regime’s desire to undermine Turkish influence over the armed factions opposing it.
2. **Amendment to the first clause**: The Syrian regime requested that the armed factions lay down their weapons and join the Syrian army individually in exchange for not being put on trial, which reflects the regime’s lack of confidence in integrating these factions as a single bloc.
3. **Demanding Turkey to withdraw from the lands it occupies**: This request reflects the Syrian regime’s insistence on regaining control over the entire Syrian territory.
4. **Approval to open the crossings**: This reflects the regime’s willingness to facilitate trade and movement with opposition areas, perhaps to improve the economic situation.
5. **Request for the extradition of 150 political figures accused of supporting terrorism**: This request shows the regime’s desire to settle its scores with the opponents who are present in Turkey.
Turkish response
The Turkish delegation requested time to transfer the Syrian side's proposals to their government for discussion, indicating that Turkey may be ready to negotiate but needs to carefully evaluate the Syrian response before making any final decisions.
Final analysis
These talks show diplomatic efforts to resolve the Syrian conflict with the participation of regional and international powers.
The presence of Russia as a mediator reflects the complexity of the situation and the parties’ dependence on the support of external forces to achieve their goals. The positions adopted by both sides show significant gaps in visions, but also some common points that can be built upon in the future.
