Turkish President Erdogan plans to invite Syrian dictator Assad to mend relations strained by Turkey's support for rebel groups during the Syrian civil war. Erdogan hints at restoring relations to past levels, but Assad wants Turkey to stop supporting opposition groups and withdraw troops from Syria.
Key Points
Erdogan plans to invite Assad to Ankara to mend strained relations
Assad wants Turkey to stop supporting Syrian opposition groups and withdraw troops from Syria
Potential for meetings between Turkey and Syria mediated by Iraq
Concerns among Syrian refugees in Turkey about the implications of Erdogan-Assad meeting
Pros
Potential for diplomatic relations to improve between Turkey and Syria
Possibility of resolving conflicts and tensions in the region
Cons
Turkish support for rebel groups in Syria could be a point of contention
Uncertainty about Assad's willingness to meet Erdogan's conditions