The withdrawal of Turkish forces from Syrian territory is an essential prerequisite for the normalization of relations between the two countries, Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad said.
"The Turkish occupation in northern Syria must come to an end. Turkey is well aware that the withdrawal of its troops from Syrian territory is the sole path to restoring our countries' relations to their previous state," stated the minister, as reported by the state-run SANA news agency.
Turkey has carried out three military operations in northern Syria since 2017: Operation Euphrates Shield, Operation Olive Branch, and Operation Peace Spring. These actions resulted in the establishment of a security buffer zone between the cities of Azaz and Jarabulus to the north of Aleppo, the occupation of Afrin, and the control of border areas east of the Euphrates River. The Syrian government considers the presence of Turkish forces in these areas to be an illegal occupation.
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Based on materials from TASS