Syrian Foreign Minister Declares Israeli Threats Jeopardize Sovereignty and Potentially Endanger Citizens
Improved Syrian-Turkish Relations: A New Era of Cooperation
In a significant development, Syria and Turkey have signed a new military cooperation deal focusing on military training and consultancy, marking a notable improvement in their relations [1]. This agreement was finalized during a Syrian delegation's visit to Ankara.
Turkey prioritizes Syria’s stability and unity, and Ankara supports Damascus's efforts to integrate Kurdish militias into Syrian security forces, although progress on this matter remains slow and complicated by Turkey’s designation of some Kurdish groups like the SDF as terrorist affiliates of the PKK [1][4].
Opposing Syrian Division
Turkey has declared that it will intervene against any attempts to divide Syria and considers such threats a critical national security concern, reaffirming its commitment to Syria’s territorial integrity [2]. Ankara emphasizes diplomatic efforts and regional counterterrorism cooperation, including intelligence-sharing platforms, to combat threats like Daesh, aiming to stabilize the region and facilitate the return of Syrian refugees by supporting reconstruction and the lifting of sanctions on Syria [2].
Managing Local Conflicts
Turkey is also wary of Israeli military presence and interference in southern Syria, viewing Israel’s actions—such as support for Druze separatists—as counter to Turkish interests and potentially destabilizing for Syria’s government backed by Turkey [3]. Turkish intelligence has engaged with Syrian Druze leaders to secure ceasefire agreements in southern Syria to prevent further conflict and support local stability [5].
Supporting Syria's Recovery
Regarding the return of Syrian refugees, Turkey has expressed support for rebuilding Syria, which is seen as essential for enabling refugees to return safely, both easing the regional refugee crisis and benefiting Syria’s recovery [2].
The Joint Press Conference
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a joint press conference in Ankara on Wednesday. During this conference, Al-Shaibani stated that the Druze are part of Syrian society and there is no intent to exclude them in any way.
This evolving cooperation reflects a complex balance between Turkey’s security priorities, regional diplomacy, and efforts to stabilize Syria after prolonged conflict.
Read also:
- Massive 8.8 earthquake hits off the coast of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, prompting Japan to issue a tsunami alert.
- Court petitions to reverse established decision on same-sex marriage legalization
- Proposed Standardization of Food Labeling Laws Among Member States by the Commission
- Experimenting with Merz's Germany has stretched into an extended period of time, resembling a numerous three-month duration.
