Turkey, Iran, Russia, five Arab states warn of threat posed by Syria crisis

The foreign ministers of Iran, Russia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq, Jordan and Egypt issued a joint statement on Saturday warning about the threat the Syria crisis poses to regional security, as rebels threaten Bashar al-Assad's rule from north and south.

The eight foreign ministers said a political solution was needed to stop military operations and protect civilians in Syria. The joint statement added that the crisis in Syria posed a threat to regional and international security.

"The Syrian crisis needs a political solution that leads to a halt to military operations," the eight foreign ministers said, calling for the cessation of military operations to prepare for the beginning of an inclusive political process.

The statement was released hours after the foreign ministers of Iran, Russia and Turkey - the three guarantor states of the so-called Astana Process - met in Doha over Syria’s escalating crisis, with Abbas Araghchi and Sergey Lavrov calling for continued talks between the Syrian government and some of the opposition.

"There was a consensus among all participants that the conflicts must end immediately, Syria's territorial integrity must be respected, and most importantly, political dialogues between the Syrian government and legitimate opposition groups must continue," Araghchi told reporters Saturday after he met with Russian and Turkish foreign ministers. He did not clarify which groups he considers as legitimate.

However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized that the Islamist insurgent group Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham in Syria is a terrorist group. He called for dialogue between the Syrian government and the "legitimate opposition," urged an immediate end to hostile activities in Syria, and added that Russia is doing all it can to prevent terrorists from prevailing in the country.

"We firmly reiterate our message about the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Syria," he said. "We call for an immediate end to military action and the start of dialogue between the government and legitimate opposition forces."

Araghchi also held separate meetings with Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on the sidelines of the Doha Forum. According to Iranian media, Araghchi described the discussions as focused on Syria, emphasizing support for its people, preserving the country’s territorial integrity, and avoiding regional fallout. He added that no clear decisions have been made yet, as consultations are ongoing.

Syrian insurgents have achieved their most significant battlefield victories since the civil war began 13 years ago. On Saturday, they reported securing Sanamayn, a strategic town just 20 kilometers south of Damascus, and taking control of Quneitra in the Syrian Golan near the Israeli border.

The advances come amid signs of reduced support for Assad from his key allies. Iranian-backed forces and the Syrian army have reportedly withdrawn from several positions, and there is little indication that Tehran is prepared to commit substantial forces to defend Assad. Similarly, Russia’s involvement has waned, with reports of troop withdrawals as Moscow has committed most of its forces to its invasion of Ukraine.

Turkey, Iran, and Russia have long been engaged in talks over Syria’s future through the Astana peace process. While Turkey supports the political and armed opposition to Assad, Iran and Russia remain his primary backers. However, the recent developments highlight a shifting dynamic, with Assad’s allies appearing less willing or able to maintain their earlier levels of support.

The upcoming trilateral talks in Doha are expected to address these shifts and explore ways to stabilize the region amidst the ongoing rebel surge and Assad’s weakening hold on power.