Erdogan Again Calls for Normalization of Relations with Syria

The President of Turkey stated that Ankara will invite Bashar al-Assad, the President of Syria, for potential talks to restore relations between the two neighboring countries whenever necessary. According to Reuters, Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his desire to normalize relations with Syria to Turkish media on Sunday, July 8, stating, 'We want to restore our relations with our neighboring country to the level they were in the past.' Erdogan also emphasized that 'the invitation for dialogue is not limited to a specific time and may be repeated.' The Turkish President mentioned that both Vladimir Putin, his Russian counterpart, and the Prime Minister of Iraq share this approach and wish to take steps towards improving relations. He added, 'If Bashar al-Assad takes steps towards improving relations with Turkey, our approach is to take reciprocal steps to normalize relations with our neighboring country.' About ten days ago, Erdogan also mentioned that a meeting with Bashar al-Assad aimed at normalizing relations between the two countries is likely. Following recent violence, Turkey closed some border crossings with Syria. Turkey severed its relations with Damascus at the start of the Syrian civil war in 2011 and supported rebel groups opposing the Syrian government throughout the conflict. Turkey has also conducted several cross-border military operations to counter militants that it claims threaten its national security and has established a 'safe zone' in northern Syria where Turkish military forces are currently stationed. Last week, following violence in northwestern Syria against Turkish soldiers within the country, Ankara blocked some border crossings between the two nations. This violence erupted after a Syrian man residing in Turkey was accused of sexually assaulting a young girl from his family, a story that was circulated on social media, leading to attacks on homes and vehicles of Syrian citizens in the city of Kayseri, Turkey, some of which were set on fire. In response to these events, a group of angry citizens attacked Turkish army soldiers in northwestern Syria with firearms and cold weapons.