Syria, Turkey Hold Rare High-Level Military Talks

A senior Syrian defense official met with Turkey's top army commander in Damascus on Thursday. The discussion marks a rare public high-level military contact between the long-time adversaries. Syrian Defense Minister Major General Murhaf Abu Qasra met with Turkish Land Forces Commander General Metin Tokel. According to a statement from Syria's Defense Ministry, the two discussed "several issues of mutual interest." The talks focused on military matters and included a review of potential ways to strengthen ties between their armed forces. No further details were provided. Turkey and Syria have been on opposing sides of Syria's civil war for over a decade. Turkish troops are stationed in parts of northern Syria. These talks represent a significant step in ongoing, slow-moving efforts to normalize relations between the two neighbors.