Astana

Reconciliation between the Syrian regime and the opposition groups is essential for ending the ongoing civil war in the country, Türkiye's top diplomat has said, repeating Ankara's calls on Damascus to genuinely endorse the international efforts for a political solution to the decade-old tragedy.

Six people, who tried to desecrate a Turkish flag during demonstrations against Türkiye in the northern Syrian province of Jarabulus, have been detained, İhlas News Agency has reported.

According to the report, "provocateurs" caused an uprising in the city on Aug. 11 and tried to take a Turkish flag down, following statements by Türkiye's top diplomat Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu.

Türkiye has been the country that has made the most effort to find a solution to the crisis in Syria in line with the legitimate expectations of the people since the beginning of the Syrian conflict and continues to work in this bid, the Foreign Ministry said.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi will meet in Tehran on July 19 for a Syria summit, the Kremlin announced.

"The president's visit to Tehran is being planned for July 19," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on July 12 adding that the trio would meet for Syrian peace talks.

The Turkish parliament on Oct. 26 passed a motion that extends authorization for the government's troop deployment in Iraq and Syria for another two years.

The motion underlined that the developments in the regions adjacent to Turkey's southern land borders and the risks and threats posed by the ongoing environment of conflict increasingly continue. 

The Turkish presidency on Oct. 20 submitted a motion to parliament to extend the state's authority to launch cross-border military operations in northern Iraq and Syria for one more year.

Russia is "determined" to continue close cooperation and coordinated work with Turkey on diplomatic and military lines to fully normalize the situation in Syria, the country's Foreign Ministry said on Oct. 7.

The Syrian settlement traditionally occupies one of the central places in dialogue between Moscow and Ankara, Maria Zakharova told a news conference in Moscow.

Valladolid – Slovenian Olympic champion in time trial Primož Roglič won the first stage of the 2021 Vuelta a Espana, another time trial, on Saturday to take the red jersey already at the start of his bid to defend the 2020 Vuelta title. His compatriot Jan Tratnik finished third.

Russia, Turkey, and Iran on July 8 agreed to continue working together to combat terrorism and condemned the increasing terrorist activities in various parts of Syria, according to a joint statement by the representatives of the three guarantor countries released after the 16th international meeting on Syria in Astana format.

Annecy – Slovenian rider Tadej Pogačar has taken the overall lead at Tour de France after an individual attack that secured him the forth place in the 150.8-km, eight stage of the prestigious race from Oyonnax to Le Grand-Bornand on Saturday.