After the Iranian President’s Statements: Reconciliation Between Syria, Turkey, Russia, and Iran .. By Kamal Ben Younes

Who Will Stop the New “Wars of Attrition” in the Region?

The Iranian News Agency IRNA reported that Iranian President Masoud Bazeshkian announced the existence of « mediations » to organize reconciliation meetings in Doha, Qatar. These discussions aim to bring together senior officials from Syria, Iran, Turkey, and Russia to halt the new military escalation in northern Syria and to support efforts to achieve a « permanent ceasefire » in Lebanon and the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly in Gaza.

This development reminded observers of the success of prior Iranian-Turkish-Russian meetings held in Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana, several years ago concerning crises in Syria and the broader region.

Interestingly, President Bazeshkian’s statements coincided with the visits of his Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, to both Damascus and Ankara. These visits are part of Tehran’s efforts to stop attacks by « armed opposition forces » and « terrorist militias » on Syrian government military bases and major cities, including Aleppo, Hama, Homs, and Deir ez-Zor.

Furthermore, the Iranian president, who recently visited Doha, highlighted what he described as « Qatar’s mediation to resolve regional crises, especially regarding the Israeli war in Gaza. »

In a statement reported by IRNA, President Bazeshkian said:
« We appreciate Qatar’s efforts and its pivotal role as a mediator in regional crises, especially in Gaza. We hope that Qatar’s determination and commitment to achieving peace in the region will continue. »

He added:
« We hope that through cooperation and solidarity, everyone can improve peace and security in the region while strengthening unity and cohesion among Islamic nations. »

Commenting on the new military escalation in northern Syria, involving Syrian government forces, « opposition forces, » and Russian and Kurdish fighters, the president stated:
« The events in Syria demonstrate that stability and security can only be achieved through dialogue and political solutions. »

He also expressed Tehran’s readiness to play a role in establishing peace in Syria through a political agreement, implicitly supporting reconciliation between the Syrian government and moderate opposition groups. These groups oppose scenarios of dividing the country or Kurdish secession.

The Iranian president’s remarks suggest the possibility of ending the « wars of attrition » and « proxy wars » that have plagued the region for years, resulting in devastating costs for the region’s nations and the world, as well as for the political, ethnic, and sectarian factions drawn into the conflicts.

Escalating Crises Across the Region

These statements come amid a period marked by « media and political posturing » that is fueling new crises in Syria, Iraq, Turkey, Sudan, the Gulf, and the entire Arab East. Key issues include disputes between the authorities in Damascus, Ankara, Tehran, and Baghdad with Kurdish separatists and armed organizations aiming to redivide the region and establish an « independent Kurdish state » spanning parts of Syria, Turkey, Iraq, and Iran.

Additionally, these developments come as Ankara and certain Western and Arab capitals resume support for the « Syrian armed opposition » in renewed efforts to overthrow the Syrian regime.

This resurgence coincides with threats from Israeli and Western officials, including Netanyahu, to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, citing Iran and its allies in Lebanon and Palestine using Syrian territory and airports to smuggle weapons, funds, and military experts.

Mediations and International Efforts

Simultaneously, other sources mention « mediations » by Arab and international capitals, including Abu Dhabi and Washington, to halt the « rebellion of terrorist militias » and « armed opposition » and to stop various aerial bombardments.

According to circulated information, these initiatives require Damascus to end its alliance with Tehran and pro-Iranian resistance factions in Lebanon and Palestine, particularly Hezbollah, Hamas, and Islamic Jihad. In exchange, Western and Arab powers would offer substantial political and financial support for Damascus and reconstruction projects for the war-torn country.

A Complex Path Ahead

It may be premature to conclude that these movements and statements will successfully avert « new proxy wars » and additional armed conflicts that would further deplete the region’s resources and capabilities.

However, it would be wise for rational leaders in the region and foreign ministers from Arab, Islamic, Asian, and African countries to support initiatives promoting bloodshed prevention and reconciliation. Success depends on gathering senior officials from Damascus, Tehran, Moscow, Ankara, Baghdad, Cairo, and the Gulf Cooperation Council.

The recent GCC summit in Kuwait and Arab League institutions in Cairo have clearly and strongly endorsed halting the genocide in the occupied Palestinian territories, Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria.

Thus, there is hope that the « Doha mediation meetings » referenced by the Iranian president will succeed in rescuing the situation before it’s too late.

A potential starting point could be the provisions of the Russian-Turkish-Iranian conferences held in Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana, in 2020.