ANKARA – Foreign ministers from Turkey, Iran, and Russia will convene in Doha on Saturday to address the recent dramatic rebel advances in Syria, according to a Turkish diplomatic source. The rebel gains, including the capture of Aleppo and Hama, represent the most significant battlefield shifts in Syria’s 13-year civil war, delivering a severe blow to President Bashar al-Assad.
The meeting, set to take place on the sidelines of the Doha Forum, is part of the Astana peace process, a trilateral initiative where Turkey supports the opposition while Russia and Iran back Assad. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has emphasized the need for a political resolution to avoid another migrant crisis.