Iran excluded from summit on Idlib by int’l consensus

Eslam Mohamed

Leaders of Turkey, Russia, Germany and France will hold a summit on the Syrian conflict in Turkey next week, a month after Ankara and Moscow brokered a deal to create a demilitarized zone in the northwest Idlib region.

The four countries will hold the talks on Oct. 27 and will discuss Idlib, and the political process for the resolution of the Syrian conflict.

Turkey has ignored inviting Iran to take part in this summit, which will also address facilitating the return of Syrian refugees to their homes.

Excluding Iran from this important gathering reflects an international agreement to limit the Iranian influence in Syria, which became more concerning to all the parties participating in the Syrian scene.

For his part, Tarek Diab, a researcher in international relations and Middle East affairs, said that this move reflects Turkey’s desire to improve its relations with the United States, especially after the release of North Carolina Pastor Andrew Brunson after two years in detention.

Diab added in an interview with The Reference that this step coincides with U.S. reimposed sanctions over Tehran, pointing out that Turkey refrains from being hindered by a further economic crisis, while Russia is promoting for the Astana peace process as the sole solution for the Syrian crisis.

He also highlighted the significance of the international summit, which will host the four leaders, and while Moscow and Ankara realize that the U.S. will not be satisfied with a final resolution to the Syrian crisis, and that the turmoil will only ease by limiting Iran’s influence, therefore, they seek an ultimate solution.

The Trump’s administration firmly focuses on eliminating the existence of Iranian militias and operatives in Syria through adopting all the recent political and diplomatic efforts that seek to get Iran out of Syria through pressuring it financially.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has vowed to refuse any additional reconstruction assistance to war-torn Syria so long as Iranian troops are present in the country.

If Syria doesn’t ensure the total withdrawal of Iranian-backed troops, it will not receive one single dollar from the United States for reconstruction,” Pompeo said.