Regional countries call for political solution to Syria crisis

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The foreign ministers of seven regional countries plus Russia met on Saturday to discuss recent developments in Syria and called for a political solution to the crisis that halts military operations.

The foreign ministers of Iraq, Russia, Iran, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and Qatar met in Doha and stressed that the “continuation of the Syrian crisis constitutes a dangerous development for the safety of the country and regional and international security, which requires all parties to seek a political solution to the Syrian crisis that leads to end of military operations, and protection of civilians from the repercussions of this crisis. ,” read a joint statement released following the meeting.

“The Ministers stressed the need to stop military operations in preparation for launching a comprehensive political process, based on Security Council Resolution 2254,” it added.

UN Security Council Resolution 2254 was adopted in 2015 and calls for a ceasefire and a political settlement in Syria. Years of UN-led negotiations have failed to reach an agreement that all parties can accept.

The ministers also underscored the importance to “preserve the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Syria and to Protect it from slipping into chaos and terrorism and ensure the voluntary return of refugees and the displaced.”

Following the meeting, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said they “reached a very good understanding on principles to support the territorial integrity of Syria, its sovereignty and especially demand to end hostilities in Syria and freeze the fight.”

The same words were echoed by his Iraqi counterpart Hussein who told Rudaw that they agreed on the need “to freeze the fighting” in Syria, but not a ceasefire.

Syria’s civil war was dramatically reignited late last month when a coalition of rebels led by the Islamist Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched a blistering offensive against the Syrian army. They quickly took control of the northern city of Aleppo, the largest in the country, and then advanced to capture the strategic central province of Hama. They also took control of Daraa city late on Friday.

The rebels are reportedly edging towards the outskirts of the capital Damascus, and they have entered the city center of Homs, though the Syrian regime denies this.