On Thursday in Ankara, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani held meetings with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, during which they signed a new agreement to enhance collaboration in security and counter-terrorism efforts. Al Shibani described the initiative as a step toward liberating Syria from extremist threats and restoring stability.
During the discussions, Al Shibani confirmed that Syria and Turkey have pledged to work together to secure their shared border and counter terrorist activities. He noted that any dangers to Syria automatically pose a risk to Turkey. Fidan affirmed this point, adding that Turkey supports diplomatic efforts to hold Israel accountable for its actions in the region, particularly its military incursions into Syrian territory.
Since the 2024 revolution, Syria has been governed by President Ahmad Al Shara and his administration. The government has assured global leaders that it is capable of preventing the resurgence of extremist groups such as ISIS, despite the militant backgrounds of several senior officials. Kurdish militias, which played a strong role in parts of the country before 2024, have seen their influence significantly diminish under the new leadership. Turkey, which has long viewed these groups as part of a threat to its national security, has welcomed the decline in their power.
Al Shibani also publicly condemned the Israeli military strikes in southern Syria, which have increased since the collapse of Bashar Al Assad’s regime in late 2024. Israel’s continued operations in the region have drawn ire from Damascus, which is attempting to stabilize the area. Turkey has aligned with Syria in its condemnation of these strikes, arguing that they violate international law and hinder broader peace efforts.
Fidan reiterated Turkey’s stance, describing Israel’s actions as a serious threat to Syria’s security and an obstacle to long-term peace in the region. He called on the international community to pressure Israel to respect Syria’s territorial integrity. He added that Turkey is committed to building stronger diplomatic ties with Syria as the country becomes more stable, with hopes of developing cooperation across different sectors.
Al Shibani emphasized during a press conference that the two nations are working to "resolve the issue of weapons outside of the state control" and to combat terrorism. He stated that Damascus is working to "free" the country from terrorism, declaring, "We want a free Syria." Fidan echoed this, stating that "any threat to Syria is a threat to Turkey." Al Shibani further noted that Turkey and Syria "are working to consolidate stability in southern Syria and stop the repeated Israeli attacks."