Ankara: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov engaged in discussions over the recent developments in Syria. The conversation focused on the ongoing situation and efforts to address the political crisis in the region through the "Astana" track, according to sources from the Turkish Foreign Ministry. According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Astana talks, initiated in 2017 with Turkey, Russia, and Iran as guarantors, aim to facilitate a resolution to Syria's political turmoil. Recent clashes have reignited between armed opposition factions and Syrian regime forces, notably in the western countryside of Aleppo. The opposition forces rapidly advanced towards the city of Aleppo and seized control of several strategic areas in the Idlib countryside. On Friday, opposition forces made significant territorial gains by entering the city of Aleppo. By evening, they had managed to take control of large portions of the city, including Saadallah al-Jabri Square in the city cen ter, the governorate building, police stations, and the historic Aleppo Citadel.
