The assembly was held in Moscow with Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. (File)

Moscow, Russia:

The defence ministers of Russia, Turkey and Syria met in Moscow on Wednesday, the primary such talks since a battle broke out in Syria, the Russian defence ministry stated.

It was additionally the primary assembly between Turkish and Syrian defence ministers for the reason that begin of the battle in 2011.

Russia and Turkey are concerned in Syria, with Moscow supporting the Damascus regime in opposition to its opponents, and Ankara backing rebels.

The assembly got here as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly threatened to launch a army offensive in northern Syria in opposition to Kurdish teams.

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and his Turkish and Syrian counterparts, Hulusi Akar and Ali Mahmoud Abbas, mentioned “ways to resolve the Syrian crisis, the problem of refugees, and joint efforts to combat extremist groups in Syria”, stated the Russian defence ministry.

The sides “noted the constructive nature of the dialogue held in this format and the need to continue it in the interests of further stabilizing the situation” in Syria and the area, the defence ministry in Moscow stated.

The Turkish defence ministry struck the same notice, saying the assembly was held in a “constructive atmosphere”.

“At the meeting, the Syrian crisis, the refugee problem and joint efforts to combat all terrorist organisations in Syria were discussed,” the ministry stated in a press release.

On Saturday, Akar advised reporters that Turkey was in talks with Russia about utilizing Syrian airspace in a doable operation in opposition to the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia.

“We are holding discussions with the Russians about the opening of the airspace” in Syria, he stated.

The Turkish and Syrian international ministers had a quick casual alternate on the sidelines of a regional summit in 2021 and Ankara had acknowledged contacts between intelligence companies of the 2 international locations.

In November, Erdogan stated a gathering with Syrian chief Bashar al-Assad was a risk, after chopping diplomatic ties with Damascus all through the 11-year battle.

In mid-December, he indicated that he may meet with Assad after the 2 international locations’ defence and international ministers meet.

“We want to take a step as Syria, Turkey and Russia,” he stated on the time.

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