‘Important to prevent Syria from falling into chaos’

Top diplomats from the United States, Turkey, the European Union and several Arab countries emphasize the importance of preventing Syria from descending into chaos.

At a meeting in the Jordanian city of Aqaba, they discussed the situation in Syria after the fall of President Assad’s regime. Assad’s ouster has fueled fears of further instability in the region.

They want state institutions to be preserved in Syria. Support has also been expressed for a transitional arrangement drawn up by Syrians that would allow for a political system “that corresponds to the aspirations of the entire Syrian people.”

This system should be established through “free and fair elections, supervised by the United Nations”.

Russia and Iran, Assad’s main backers, were not invited. There was also no representative of Syria present at the meeting.

The Arab diplomats had already met separately prior to the meeting. They called for a “peaceful transfer of power” in Syria in which all political and social movements are represented.

US Secretary of State Blinken says that America has had direct contact with the fighting group HTS, which has been the main force in Syria after the fall of Assad. The group is still classified as a terrorist organization by the US and other Western countries.

Blinken declined to provide details about those talks, but emphasized that it is important to be in contact with the group about their behavior and method of governing in the transition period.

Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan says Turkey will not allow terrorists to hijack Syria’s transition phase. Earlier this week, Blinken had urged Ankara that Turkey not hinder the Kurdish-led rebel group SDF in securing the camps where IS fighters are being held.

The SDF is one of America’s most important allies in the fight against Islamic State. But Turkey views the group that controls much of northeastern Syria as an extension of the Kurdish PKK, which has been fighting the Turkish state for 40 years.

Turkey reopened its embassy in Damascus today. It remained closed for the past twelve years due to the civil war in Syria.