Turkish, Iranian and Russian FMs meet in Doha for Astana Format talks
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (C) attend the Astana format meeting at the 22nd Doha Forum together with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Doha, Qatar on Dec. 7, 2024. (AA Photo)
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan participated in an Astana-format Foreign Ministers’ meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Doha.
Astana Format meeting in Doha
According to a post shared on the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs X social media account, Minister Hakan Fidan attended the meeting on the sidelines of the 22nd Doha Forum, held in the Qatari capital.
The foreign ministers from Türkiye, Iran and Russia convened to discuss regional matters, with a primary focus on the ongoing developments in Syria.
A statement from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the trilateral meeting had begun in Doha, highlighting its significance within the Astana Format, a diplomatic process initiated by the three countries to address the Syrian crisis.
Focus on Syria: Recent developments
The ministers were expected to evaluate the latest developments in Syria. Clashes between the forces of the Assad regime and opposition armed groups escalated in northern Syria in late November.
On Nov. 27, fighting erupted in the western countryside of Aleppo province, with regime forces clashing against anti-regime groups.
By Nov. 30, opposition forces had seized much of Aleppo city, and shortly thereafter, they took control of all of Idlib province.
On Dec. 5, opposition groups succeeded in capturing Hama city center after fierce fighting with regime forces.
Opposition factions continued their offensive by taking control of several key areas in the strategic Homs province, and by Dec. 6, military insurgents in Daraa, near the Jordanian border, retook the provincial capital.
On Dec. 7, rebel groups also gained full control of Suwayda province in southern Syria.
Syria’s changing frontlines
A significant military operation by Syrian opposition forces, “Operation Dawn of Freedom,” was launched in Aleppo’s rural areas on Dec. 1.
The operation aimed to eliminate PKK/YPG terrorist elements, leading to the liberation of the town of Tel Rifaat.
