-
During a Secret Meeting in Turkey, Severe Divisions Shake the Syrian Opposition
-
Turkey's limited role in the meeting highlights Ankara's inability to control the warring factions, signaling a decline in its influence and capacity to shape events in northern Syria

A media report has revealed details of a controversial meeting that brought together military and political factions of the Syrian opposition and Turkish officials at Gaziantep Airport in southern Turkey. The report, published by Syria TV, indicated that the four-hour meeting would be "pivotal, with its results directly impacting northern Syria."
The meeting included representatives from Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the intelligence agency, alongside members of the Syrian National Coalition, the Interim Government, the Negotiations Committee, the Tribal and Clan Council, as well as leaders from the Syrian National Army (SNA). The meeting revealed a significant split within the Syrian opposition.
Turkey’s role was limited to facilitating the session and providing a brief on Ankara’s efforts concerning the Syrian issue. A Turkish intelligence official stated that Turkey and Qatar remain the only two countries still supporting the Syrian opposition.
Regarding the "Abu al-Zendin Crossing," the Turkish side emphasized that its reopening was purely for commercial reasons, noting that trade exchanges continue through smuggling operations conducted by some factions of the Syrian National Army.
The head of the Syrian National Coalition, Hadi al-Bahra, discussed the challenges facing civilians in northern Syria, viewing the protests as a natural reaction reflecting the concerns of Syrians. Meanwhile, the head of the Syrian Interim Government, Abdurrahman Mustafa, presented what he called "achievements" in northern Syria.
The meeting witnessed unexpected tension when Saif Boulad, commander of the "Hamza Division," praised the work of the Interim Government and blamed the National Coalition. Additionally, leaders of the "Joint Force" criticized the performance of the Tribal and Clan Council.
A clear rift emerged between the leaders of the "Liberation and Construction Movement" and the "Sham Front" on one side, and the Interim Government on the other. The commander of the "Sham Front" accused the head of the Interim Government of failure, claiming that his presence in office was the main reason for the protests.
In response, the head of the Interim Government accused the "Sham Front" of stealing $17 million from the Bab al-Salamah crossing, threatening to revoke the legitimacy of two factions accused of inciting protests and sit-ins in northern Syria.
By the end of the meeting, a clear division was evident among the parties involved, with expectations of potential escalation against the Interim Government in the areas of Azaz, al-Bab, and Afrin in rural Aleppo.
It is worth noting that the Syrian opposition and its armed factions have committed severe human rights violations in the areas under their control. Human Rights Watch documented in a 2023 report that opposition factions supported by Turkey were involved in arbitrary detention, torture, and enforced disappearances of civilians in northern Syria. The report also highlighted the factions' role in looting civilian properties and seizing their lands.
Levant - Agencies
You May Also Like
Popular Posts
Caricature
BENEFIT Sponsors BuildHer...
- April 23, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”
opinion
Report
ads
Newsletter
Subscribe to our mailing list to get the new updates!