<p fr-original-style="" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; box-sizing: border-box;">Although the Assad regime has regained control country's majority after 11 years of civil war in Syria, the areas are controlled by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and the Turkish-backed opposition in the north of the country is substantial. Turkey's legitimate security concerns and its opposition to the statehood of the SDF/YPG, which is linked to the PKK terrorist organization, require it to support Syria's territorial integrity.</p><h2 fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;"><strong fr-original-style="" style="font-weight: 700; box-sizing: border-box;">Resurgent bilateral relations</strong></h2><p fr-original-style="" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; box-sizing: border-box;">Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu recently revealed that he had met with Syrian Foreign Minister Faysal Mikdad 10 months ago. Çavusoglu said that he told Mikdad that "there should be a peace between the Syrian opposition and the regime, and that Turkey could support this in such a case." While communication between intelligence agencies is well known, this was the latest development in relations that broke down after Turkey's open support for the opposition during the 2011 civil war.</p><blockquote fr-original-style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); border-color: rgb(37, 44, 60); border-width: 4px; font-style: italic; padding-left: 10px;" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); border-color: rgb(37, 44, 60); border-width: 4px; font-style: italic; padding-left: 10px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; border-left-style: solid; box-sizing: border-box;"><p fr-original-style="" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; box-sizing: border-box;">"There is no diplomatic contact at the moment, but Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to bring Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad and President Erdoğan together," Cavusoglu said. "YPG/PKK's only aim is to divide Syria. To prevent Syria's division, there must be a strong government in Syria."</p></blockquote><h2 fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;"><strong fr-original-style="" style="font-weight: 700; box-sizing: border-box;">Davutoğlu cracked at the opposition alliance</strong></h2><p fr-original-style="" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; box-sizing: border-box;">The CHP and the IYI Party have been criticizing the government's Syria policy for many years, advocating talks with Assad and peace. It is unlikely that these two parties will criticize the start of diplomatic relations and talks with Syria other than saying "we told you so, you did what we said". Past statements from the Felicity Party, the DEVA Party, and the Democrat Party have also endorsed "constructive dialog with all parties". This issue risks creating a potential rift in the opposition alliance.</p><p fr-original-style="" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; box-sizing: border-box;">Future Party leader Ahmet Davutoğlu was the architect of the anti-Assad Syria policy when he was Foreign Minister and Prime Minister. He called Assad "the devil" when he was prime minister, and today he maintains the position that the regime is illegitimate, saying that "Russia is trying to legitimize the Assad regime." By making the transitional government formation in Syria a precondition for the start of the talks, he indicated that the expectation of regime change remains.&nbsp;</p><h3 fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;"><strong fr-original-style="" style="font-weight: 700; box-sizing: border-box;">Realities and expectations</strong></h3><p fr-original-style="" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; box-sizing: border-box;">While it is true that the Assad regime has killed thousands of innocent people and displaced millions in the civil war, Turkey is a country that should base its foreign policy on balance and peace, prioritizing its security and economy. The facts on the ground show that Assad has achieved victory in the civil war with the support of Russia and will continue to rule. Unilaterally declaring the government of a neighboring country represented at the United Nations illegitimate means the continuation of the stalemate.&nbsp;</p><p fr-original-style="" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; box-sizing: border-box;">However, the refugee crisis and the return of millions of Syrians, the establishment prevention of a possible SDF/YPG state, and the establishment of peace in opposition-held areas are problems that can only be solved by dealing with the Syrian regime.</p><p fr-original-style="" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; box-sizing: border-box;">The Foreign Ministry's statement, "The process is not moving forward due to the Assad regime's foot-dragging," as well as the announcement that regime soldiers were killed in the YPG positions struck by the Turkish Armed Forces on August 16, the possibility that the US may start supporting Assad's opponents again if the YPG reconciles with Assad, and the possibility that a group of Syrians in Turkey may oppose Turkey's change of policy, reveal the complexity and difficulty of the process. This complex process requires a nuanced and decisive foreign policy strategy that is "realistic, not idealistic," both before and after the elections.&nbsp;</p><p fr-original-style="" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; box-sizing: border-box;">It is expected that the opposition alliance, which is expected to nominate a joint presidential candidate to lead Turkey, will adopt a common stance on an issue such as the Syria policy, which is closely related to both national security and the economy, in a way that will not leave confusion in the society.</p><h3 fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;"><strong fr-original-style="" style="font-weight: 700; box-sizing: border-box;">Anti-Turkey protests by Turkey-backed groups</strong></h3><p fr-original-style="" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; box-sizing: border-box;">Immediately after Cavusoglu's statements, anti-Turkey protests broke out in areas controlled by the Turkish-backed opposition in Syria. Demonstrations chanting "neither reconciliation nor surrender in the city of Azaz, we will overthrow the regime" resulted in the burning of Turkish flags, damage to parks built by Turkey, and stoning of Turkish Armed Forces vehicles.</p><p fr-original-style="" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; box-sizing: border-box;">The Syrian National Army, which Turkey formed in 2017 by restructuring a part of the Free Syrian Army fighting against Assad, said, "The Turkish flag is sacred. Those who lay a hand on it will be punished." It was reported that some protesters were detained.</p><h3 fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;"><strong fr-original-style="" style="font-weight: 700; box-sizing: border-box;">MHP also changed its position</strong></h3><p fr-original-style="" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; box-sizing: border-box;">Devlet Bahçeli, leader of the AK Party's partner MHP, had previously said, "Those who propose talks with the murderer Assad should come to their senses," and "the Turkish nation should already plan to enter Damascus if necessary. Let Syria burn, let Idlib collapse, down with Assad." This week, Bahçeli signaled a change in his Syria policy, saying, "Our minister's constructive and realistic words on the establishment of peace between the Syrian opposition and the Assad regime are a strong breath of fresh air for the search for a permanent solution. Turkey's steps on Syria are valuable and accurate."</p><p fr-original-style="" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; box-sizing: border-box;">It was learned that the leader of the Patriotic Party, Doğu Perinçek, who has supported Assad since the beginning of the war in Syria and is known for his Eurasianist views, will go to Damascus to meet with Assad together with Ethem Sancak, who resigned from the AK Party and joined his party.&nbsp;</p>

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