Qatar holds talks with Türkiye, Jordan and Iran on recent developments in Syria, Gaza

Qatar's Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani held discussions on Saturday with his counterparts from Türkiye, Jordan and Iran regarding the latest developments in Syria and the ongoing humanitarian crises in Gaza and the Palestinian territories.

According to Qatar's Foreign Ministry, the talks involved Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi.

https://twitter.com/MofaQatar_EN/status/1865285520449794555

Qatar's Foreign Ministry's statement on X

The conversations focused on bilateral relations, regional cooperation, and updates on the humanitarian situations in Gaza, the occupied Palestinian territories and Syria.

Syria conflict: Escalation and humanitarian concerns

Sheikh Mohammed expressed Qatar's deep concern over the situation in Syria, particularly the increasing humanitarian toll as forces opposed to the Assad regime make significant advances.

He underscored the importance of safeguarding civilians and emphasized the need for dialogue to resolve the conflict under international resolutions, including UN Security Council Resolution 2254.

Resolution 2254, passed in December 2015, calls for peace talks and a political solution to the Syrian crisis while ensuring Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In recent weeks, opposition forces have captured significant areas, including Aleppo, Idlib, and parts of Hama and Homs, which are strategically crucial for control over access to Damascus.

Anti government fighters gesture as they check a Syrian army jet after they took over a military airbase near the central city of Hama, on December 6, 2024. - Rebel forces pressing a lightning offensive in Syria aim to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad's rule, their Islamist leader said in an interview published on December 6. In little over a week, the offensive has seen Syria's second city Aleppo and strategically located Hama fall from Assad's control for the first time since the civil war began in 2011. (Photo by OMAR HAJ KADOUR / AFP)A Syrian anti government fighter fires his rifle into the air in the streets of the west-central city of Hama on December 5, 2024. - Islamist-led rebels captured the central Syrian city of Hama on December 5, days after seizing the country's commercial hub Aleppo in a lightning offensive against President Bashar al-Assad's forces. (Photo by Abdulaziz KETAZ / AFP)An anti-government fighter fires a rocket against regime forces, in the northern outskirts of Syria's west-central city of Hama on December 4, 2024. - Syrian government forces pressed a counterattack against Islamist-led rebels around the key city of Hama on December 4 after suffering a string of staggering losses further north, a war monitor said. (Photo by Bakr AL KASSEM / AFP)HAMA, SYRIA - DECEMBER 4: Armed groups, opposing Syria’s Bashar al-Assad regime, capture tanks and military vehicles belonging to the regime forces on the Idlib-Hama road, in Hama, Syria on December 4, 2024. Anti-regime armed groups clashed with Assad regime forces about 5 kilometers outside the city center of Hama in Syria and took control of 4 more villages.( Kasim Rammah - Anadolu Agency )

Gaza, Palestinian territories: Ongoing humanitarian crisis

The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza was also a key subject of the discussions. Since the outbreak of hostilities in October 2023, Gaza has faced severe violence, with over 44,600 casualties, primarily women and children.

The situation has led to international calls for accountability, including a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over war crimes committed during the conflict in Gaza.

December 07, 2024 12:15 PM GMT+03:00