We cannot negotiate with those who occupy our lands and have repeatedly failed to keep their promises to withdraw, the head of Syrian diplomacy told a press conference with his Iranian counterpart, Ali Bagheri Kani, in this capital.

He explained that Ankara approved several treaties in this regard and never implemented them.

Türkiye’s occupation and its support for irregular and terrorist groups in the north of the country is not allowed to continue, because it contradicts any efforts to normalize relations, Al-Mekdad stated.

Russian and Iranian efforts for reconciliation between Syria and Türkiye culminated last year with a meeting in Moscow between the foreign ministers of these two neighboring nations, whose relations have been severed since the beginning of the war in Syria. On several occasions, Al-Mekdad has ratified that Syria’s main goal is to end any form of illegal military presence in the territory, including by Turkish forces, and noted that there will be no progress or real results if the withdrawal is not achieved.

Regarding Türkiye’s concern that there would be a power vacuum in the areas from where its military is to withdraw, Defense Minister Ali Abbas pointed out that the Syrian armed forces are fully prepared to establish and maintain security throughout the region.

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