Russia, Turkey, and Iran welcomed the proposed US withdrawal from Syria. At a joint meeting, the presidents of Russia, Turkey, and Iran decided to work collectively in Syria, but the question is whether they can rebuild heavily-bombed Syria?
Leaders of Russia, Germany, France, Turkey Discuss Syrian Crisis in Istanbul
While meeting his Turkish and Iranian counterparts in the southern city of Sochi, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the three welcomed the expected U.S. pull-out from northeastern Syria.
Putin informed media at a conference held after the talks, “a positive step that would help stabilize the situation in this region, where ultimately the legitimate government should re-establish control.”
Both Russia and Iran back the regime of Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad and rebel supporter Turkey have placed themselves as key foreign players in Syria’s long-running war.
The United States has had troops in Syria supporting Kurdish-led forces fighting the Islamic State group but in the month of December, Trump issued an unexpected order to pull out all 2,000.
Why is Turkey Both Jubilant and Anxious By US Withdrawal From Syria?
The Kurdish-led fighters are fighting to dismiss IS jihadists from the small town of Baghouz in eastern Syria, the last place of their “caliphate” that once controlled large parts of the country.
After the talks, Putin said: “The talks were “constructive and business-like” and that “close coordination” was crucial to ensuring long-term stability in Syria. The three leaders agreed to “strengthen cooperation” in the so-called Astana framework — a process initiated by Russia, Iran, and Turkey that has eclipsed parallel peace talks led by the United Nations”.
Putin also informed that another round of talks will be held in Astana in late March and early April.
Iran’s President Rouhani emphasised saying, “talks were “very helpful and frank” and insisted on Syria’s territorial integrity, calling for a “purge of terrorists” from the rebel-held northwestern province of Idlib”.
“We have no optimism about what the Americans say… but if they do withdraw, it will be very good news,” the Iranian President added. While in a separate meeting with Putin, President Erdogan said: “the planned U.S. pull-out made it more important for other foreign powers to work together in Syria”.
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