Iran opposes Syrian no-fly zone

Iran’s deputy foreign minister has rejected the idea proposed by Turkey of imposing a no-fly zone over Syria. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said that the zone would not restore security to the region. “This would,” he added, “simply be a repeat of previous mistakes.”

Ankara stipulated the establishment of the no-fly zone and a buffer zone on its border with Syria in exchange for joining the US-led military coalition against ISIS. As part of the deal, Turkey would also train fighters from the moderate opposition forces seeking to overthrow Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad.

Iran is a major regional ally of the Syrian regime and provides it with military and financial support. Tehran has also accused Turkey of smuggling weapons and fighters through its borders with Syria, but the government in Ankara denies this.

According to statements reported by Iran’s state television, Abdollahian insists in order for a political solution in Syria to be achieved, neighbouring countries must control their borders and prevent fighters from crossing them. He made his comments on the fringe of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation meeting in Kuwait.

More than 220,000 people have been killed in the Syrian conflict, which erupted on 15 March, 2011 with a popular uprising against President Bashar Al-Assad’s regime.