Turkey, Iran and Russia to meet for Syria talks

Turkey, Iran and Russia to meet for Syria talks
Turkey, Russia and Iran will meet in August to discuss the situation in Syria.
2 min read
05 July, 2019
Iran, Turkey and Russia are key players in Syria [Getty]
Leaders from three of the most powerful international players in Syria will hold talks next month to discuss the situation in Idlib province and other key matters affecting the war-torn country.

Turkey's presidential spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin said Ankara will host a trilateral summit on Syria with Iran and Russia in August.

"The meeting will mainly be on Idlib and other parts of Syria, on the general security situation, transition processes, constitutional commission, and re-settlement," Kalin said.

The three countries have differing views on the war in Syria with Turkey backing some rebel groups, while Russia and Iran have supported Bashar al-Assad's regime.

The three countries agreed in 2016 to hold regular talks on the situation in Syria with an alternative to the UN's peace efforts established, known as the Astana process.

Although the three countries have managed to set aside their differences over the Syria war, Turkey is said to have been riled by a recent Russian-backed regime offensive on Idlib province, which has killed hundreds of civilians.

The talks should address the situation in Idlib, where clashes have continued between the Russia and Iran backed-Syrian regime militias with rebel groups and radical militia organisations such as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

The three countries have regularly met to establish ceasefires, including a demilitarised zone covering Idlib, Hama and Latakia provinces in northwestern Syria.

Kalin said that the Turkish president will also hold talks with leaders from Russia, Germany and France in two months time.

NATO member Turkey is at loggerheads with the US over plans to purchase the Russian-made S-400 missile system.

Ankara is pushing ahead with the move despite concerns from NATO members.

"This is not a defence system that would pose a threat or danger to our current security system, especially within the NATO system," Kalın said defending the purchase, according to Turkish state news. 

"First of all, it is a defence system, not an attack system against another country, therefore it is not a threat to another country."