The restoration of ties between Damascus and Ankara is contingent upon the latter ending its military presence in northern Syria, Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad has said.
Since 2016, Turkey has staged three ground offensives into northern Syria, where it still maintains thousands of troops.
On Jan. 14, Mekdad called for an end to the Turkish military presence, which he described as an “occupation.”
His remarks come in the run-up to a highly anticipated meeting between himself and his Turkish and Russian counterparts.
The meeting is expected to be held next month in Moscow, although a date has yet to be set.
Mekdad’s comments, however, have appeared to cast doubts on whether the meeting will materialize as planned….