A central point of contention is the status of southwestern Syria. The Israeli delegation is reportedly insisting on the complete demilitarization of this region, which borders the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. "They [Israel] demand a completely demilitarized southwestern Syria," explained one source close to the talks. "In effect, they do not want the expansion of the authority of Damascus to the whole of the country. This is a problem." This stance suggests Israeli reluctance to see the Syrian government regain complete control over its territory, particularly near sensitive borders.
Conversely, the Turkish position emphasizes the necessity of a unified Syria under Damascus's control. It views the interim government as the primary hope for stability and security. Ankara believes that achieving this requires the central government to control the entire country, including all its borders, effectively.
Furthermore, Turkey firmly rejects any push towards decentralization or federalization within Syria. Ankara is reportedly troubled by recent reports suggesting Kurdish political parties aim to advocate for a federal structure, a move Turkey strongly opposes due to its security concerns regarding Kurdish separatism.
Despite these fundamental disagreements, the sources indicate that Ankara remains committed to de-escalating tensions with Israel concerning Syria. Turkey has also expressed appreciation for the diplomatic efforts of the United States and host nation Azerbaijan in facilitating these critical discussions. The outcome of the Baku negotiations, with their potential to significantly shape the geopolitical landscape of post-conflict Syria, underscores the importance of this topic.
Photo-map: The map is from the BBC's site, immediately after the collapse of the Baath's regime in Syria, in December 2024. It depicts the fragmentation of the "new" Syria.