Assad Signals Readiness for Talks With Erdogan Post-Withdrawal

In a candid exchange, the Syrian president signaled openness to a dialogue with Turkey after Ankara completes the withdrawal of its forces from Syrian soil. The statements emerged during a televised interview, reflecting Syria’s insistence on redefining security dynamics on its border and shaping a path toward stability in the region. The Syrian leader underscored that any future talks would hinge on Ankara removing its military presence and ceasing support for groups that Damascus designates as terrorist entities. The commentary highlights Syria’s view that a full disengagement by Turkey is a prerequisite for meaningful negotiations and a return to the prewar order along the border area. The interview frames the possible meeting as contingent on concrete steps by Turkey rather than on rhetoric alone, emphasizing that talks would be anchored in the withdrawal and the normalization of ties through mutual assurances of noninterference. The president reiterated that Turkey has previously played a destabilizing role by backing armed groups on Syrian soil and by dispatching regular troops into the country, a stance that has long shaped the trajectory of the conflict and the regional response to it. Damascus describes Turkey as an occupying power in its territory, a claim that reflects years of fractious interaction and contested sovereignty. The interview also touched on broader regional dynamics, with the Syrian leader characterizing the Western-led coalition’s approach as part of a wider proxy struggle that has spilled into both Ukraine and Syria, casting contemporary geopolitics as a layered contest involving multiple actors and strategies. The exchange, viewed in the context of ongoing regional diplomacy, suggests that any potential rapprochement would require careful alignment of Turkish actions with an agreed vision for Syria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and stabilization efforts. The discussion likewise points to a broader narrative about how external powers have framed the conflict, with the Syrian leadership framing the situation as a reassertion of sovereignty amid ongoing regional challenges and a complex web of alliances. Observers note that the stance taken by Damascus and Ankara could influence future negotiations on security arrangements, border management, and the fight against extremist networks, as both sides evaluate pathways to reduce tension and foster a stable environment along the border regions. The remarks occur against a backdrop of evolving Western-European and regional positions regarding Syria, with the Syrian president emphasizing a perception of a proxy war that blends conventional and irregular warfare tactics, while warning against new rounds of foreign interference. The interview concluded with a reiteration that dialogue would be possible only if the withdrawal is complete, and the surrounding context remains focused on achieving a durable peace that reflects Syria’s legitimate security concerns and political sovereignty. The overall message signals that dialogue is not dismissed but conditioned on visible, verifiable steps that restore a sense of stability to communities along the border and lay groundwork for long-term commitments from all involved parties. In sum, the Syrian leadership framed negotiations as a process tied directly to changes on the ground, insisting that any future engagement would be grounded in the withdrawal of foreign troops, the cessation of external support to militant groups, and a restoration of the regional balance at a time when international actors recalibrate their strategies toward the Syrian crisis.