On December 3, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the need for more diplomacy to resolve the conflict in northern Syria during a phone conversation following the resurgence of fighting.
According to a media release from Erdogan’s office, the Turkish leader emphasized that Syria should not become a source of greater instability.
“President Erdogan stressed that while Turkey continues to support Syria’s territorial integrity, it also seeks a fair and permanent solution in Syria,” Erdogan told Putin during the phone call, according to a statement published by his office on X (formerly Twitter).
Erdogan also pointed out the importance of creating more diplomatic space in the region and insisted that the Syrian regime must engage in the political resolution process.
He reiterated that Turkey will maintain its stance in the fight against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which is considered a terrorist organization by both Turkey and the United States, and its affiliates, who are attempting to take advantage of recent developments in Syria.
Erdogan and Putin held this conversation amid reports that Syrian rebels have been advancing against government forces, after taking control of Aleppo the previous week. On December 3, the rebels moved closer to the city of Hama, according to reports from the rebels and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on December 3 that the number of casualties from the rebel offensive in northern Syria had reached 602, including 104 civilians.
An attack on the city of Hama would increase pressure on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who is supported by Russia and Iran against opposition forces. The city has been under government control since the civil war began in 2011.
The Kremlin stated that Putin stressed the need for “a swift end to the terrorist aggression against the Syrian state by radical groups.” Both leaders highlighted the importance of close coordination between Russia, Turkey, and Iran on this issue, according to the Kremlin’s statement.
“The two presidents will continue to stay in contact in the context of finding steps to reduce tensions,” the Kremlin added.
The Syrian civil war had been dormant for years until a large offensive launched by militants in northwest Syria revived the conflict.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its allies took control of most of the city of Aleppo and surrounding rural areas last week. This is the largest offensive in Syria in recent years. HTS is an Islamist militant group that seeks to establish a state in Syria governed by Islamic law. The group, which is designated a terrorist organization by the United States, is believed to have between 5,000 and 10,000 fighters, according to U.S. intelligence estimates.
