"The biggest threat in the region is the expansionist Ottoman mentality"

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad criticized Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan's Syria policy at the Arab League summit, describing it as an expansionist Ottoman mentality influenced by the Muslim Brotherhood, despite ongoing efforts by Russia and Iran for the normalization of neighboring countries after 11 years of rupture caused by the civil war.

Assad's remarks underscored the challenges and tensions in the region as he called for Arab solidarity, non-interference in internal affairs, and a focus on resolving underlying issues.

Bashar al-Assad, who attended the Arab League summit for the first time in 12 years, strongly criticized President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Syria policy.

Speaking at the 32nd Arab League summit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, which marked Syria's return to the international diplomatic arena after being expelled from the Arab League due to the civil war that began in 2011, Bashar al-Assad described the summit as a "historic opportunity" and stated, "One of the greatest dangers in our region is the expansionist Ottoman mentality."

Thanking Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for his "significant role and intense efforts to promote reconciliation in the region," Assad emphasized that Syria has always belonged to the Arab world and underlined the need to refrain from interfering in Arab countries' internal affairs.

With many Arab states hoping Assad will now take steps to distance Syria from Shi'ite Iran, Assad said the country's "past, present, and future is Arabism", but without mentioning Tehran - for decades a close Syrian ally.

Oil powerhouse Saudi Arabia, once heavily influenced by the United States, has taken the diplomatic lead in the Arab world in the past year, re-establishing ties with Iran, welcoming Syria back to the fold, and mediating in the Sudan conflict.