Türkiye, Iran and Russia say situation in Gaza negatively affects Syria

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - The guarantor countries of the Astana process on Syria – Iran, Russia, and Türkiye – said on Thursday that the situation in Gaza has a negative impact on the war-torn Arab country.

After the 21st meeting of the format lasting two days, the three countries stressed in joint statement the need to end "Israeli brutal onslaught against the Palestinians" and allow humanitarian aid to the enclave.

They reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to Syria's sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity, and emphasized the importance of continuation of efforts for the restoration of relations between Ankara and Damascus to combat terrorism, create proper conditions for return of Syrian refugees with the help of UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), revitalize the political process and ensure the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid to all Syrians.

Addressing the situation in Syria's province of Idlib, the three countries underscored the necessity to maintain calm on the ground and voiced worry over the presence and activities of terrorist groups there, agreed to make further efforts to normalize the situation in and around the Idlib de-escalation area.

The joint statement rejected attempts "to create new realities" in northeastern Syria, including through illegitimate "self-rule" initiatives under the pretext of combating terrorism, and pledged to confront separatist agendas, undermining the unity of Syria and threatening security of neighboring countries, including through cross-border attacks.

The participants also opposed pillage of Syrian natural resources by third countries and condemned their support for terrorism.

The three countries blasted all Israeli military attacks on Syria as violation of international law, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria, recognized them as "destabilizing and exacerbating tensions," urged to stop them, reminding that under the UN resolutions Golan Heights is considered "an occupied territory of Syria."

They expressed support of the Syrian Constitutional Committee, established to facilitate the political settlement between the Syrian government and opposition, and urged to resume its work.

The states also welcomed the participation of the observer delegations from Jordan, Iraq and Lebanon, as well as representatives of the UN and the Red Cross, thanked Kazakhstan for hosting the talks, and agreed to convene the 22nd international meeting on Syria in the second half of 2024.