Turkey using 'backdoor' diplomacy to set up Assad-Erdogan meeting

Turkey is reportedly seeking to use "backdoor" diplomacy to hold a meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad.

A journalist close to Erdogan's ruling AK Party said in an article for the Hurriyet newspaper on Friday that a meeting between the two leaders was considered "the most important step" in securing "rapprochement" between the sides.

The journalist said no date or location had been set, but there was communication involving Turkey, Russia, and the Syrian regime.

"With the risk the Gaza war expanding to other areas in the region, normalising Turkish-Syrian relations has become important," the article said.

"Any crisis in the Israeli-Lebanese-Iranian triangle will affect the two countries [Turkey and Syria] more than others."

Turkey broke off ties with Damascus after the Assad regime cracked down on peaceful pro-democracy demonstrations and the country's brutal civil war stated.

Ankara's Defence Minister Yasar Guler has said Turkey will engage with whoever comes to power in Syria after free elections are held and a new constitution is written.

Last month, Erdogan said he would invite Assad to discuss normalising ties.

But, Assad said such talks could only happen if the neighbours focus on core issues, including the withdrawal of Turkish forces from the north of Syria.

Guler told Reuters in a written interview that the neighbours could meet at a ministerial level again – as part of Ankara's regional charm offensive launched in 2020 – if suitable conditions are created.

"We are ready to provide all the support we can for a comprehensive constitution to be accepted, for free elections to be held, and for a comprehensive normalisation and security atmosphere to be created, and only when these are done and the security of our border is fully ensured will we do what is necessary through mutual coordination," he said, in response to a question on the possibility of a Turkish pullout from Syria.

Turkey backs rebels in Syria and has a military presence in parts of the country's north.

Guler told Turkish broadcaster Haberturk TV that Ankara has "conditions" for starting "peace negotiations" with the Assad regime.

He said the regime "says if you inform us of the date of withdrawal, we will negotiate. We understand this as them not wanting to return to peace."

Reuters contributed to this report.