Turkey willing to mediate between US and new Syrian administration: Top diplomat

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Sunday that his country was willing to mediate between Washington and the new admiration in Syria, adding that he doesn’t see Syria becoming an arena for conflicts.

As the circumstances surrounding ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s escape from Syria last week remain unclear, Fidan said that al-Assad received “an external call asking him to leave the capital, Damascus.”

Fidan added in his comments that “none of the Syrian intelligence officers contacted us [Turkey] regarding their escape,” adding that al-Assad shared the power in Syria between Iran and Russia.

“I do not think that Syria will be an arena for conflicts, as Tehran is aware of the new situation,” he said.

The Military Operations Administration, led by “Hayat Tahrir al-Sham,” or HTS, toppled al-Assad last Sunday ending decades-long rule by al-Assad family.

HTS is designated a terrorist group by the US, but officials in Washington have indicated that the Biden administration is considering removing the designation.

Fidan expressed his country’s willingness to “mediate between Washington and the new authority,” while noting that Turkey will offer its help to the new administration in Syia.

The top Turkish diplomat also highlighted the coordination between Turkey and Saudi Arabia at the highest levels regarding the Syrian developments.