Diplomat Fidan Travels to Syria for Discussions on Safety and Rebuilding Projects
In a significant development in Middle Eastern politics, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan recently visited the Syrian capital, Damascus, marking a new chapter in Turkey-Syria relations.
During his visit, Fidan met with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa for high-level talks. The discussions covered regional and international developments, as well as ways to enhance cooperation in various fields. The coordination of efforts for Syria's reconstruction and recovery will be an important aspect of these meetings.
Turkey prioritizes utilizing these opportunities to support Syria's stability and security. Fidan stressed Turkey's ongoing support for Syria's fight against terrorist organizations and expressed readiness to assist the Syrian government with managing and securing camps in northeastern Syria.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry confirmed Fidan's visit in a statement. This visit, the second by a senior Turkish official in 2025, follows a working visit to Syria in March by Defense Minister Yasar Guler and National Intelligence Organization (MIT) head Ibrahim Kalin.
The current period offers opportunities for cooperation across various fields in Turkey-Syria relations. Fidan reaffirmed Turkey's commitment to support the Syrian people and their legitimate expectations following his recent visit to Syria.
However, a major point of contention remains the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northeast Syria, which Turkey views as linked to the PKK, a designated terrorist group. Although the SDF signed an integration agreement with the Syrian government in March 2025 to dissolve or integrate into state forces, progress has been slow and contentious.
Ankara has repeatedly warned the SDF and its leading Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) to fulfill their commitments and cease security threats, threatening military action if demands are not met. Turkey strongly opposes proposals for creating a corridor linking southern Syria (Suwayda) to SDF-held territories, labeling them as imperialist plans undermining Syria’s sovereignty and transitional process.
Fidan also criticized Israel's targeted actions against Syria for destabilizing the region. He called on the international community, especially the United States and European countries, to share responsibility in preventing such destabilizing policies.
The possibilities for institutionalizing bilateral cooperation between Turkey and Syria were emphasized during Fidan's visit. The Turkish Foreign Minister shared his reflections on the visit via his X social media account, expressing optimism about the future of Turkey-Syria relations.
These high-level visits between Turkey and Syria continue to take place, signaling a significant improvement in relations since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in late 2024. Mutual cooperation agreements and joint efforts to address security threats are key elements of this new chapter in Turkey-Syria relations.
- The Turkish government, through Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, recently met with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Damascus to discuss regional and international developments, Syria's reconstruction, and ways to enhance cooperation.
- Turkey continues to support Syria's fight against terrorist organizations and has expressed readiness to assist the Syrian government with securing camps in northeastern Syria.
- However, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) remains a point of contention between Turkey and Syria, as Turkey views the SDF as linked to the PKK, a designated terrorist group.
- Fidan also addressed the international community, particularly the United States and European countries, to take responsibility in preventing destabilizing policies, criticizing Israel's targeted actions against Syria for contributing to regional instability.
