Senior Turkish officials have met with their Syrian counterparts in Damascus on Monday ahead of a deadline for Kurdish-led forces in the Country's northeast to be integrated into the Syrian Armed forces.
The high-level visit underlines Ankara’s firm focus on defending Syria’s territorial integrity and political unity, according to a regional expert.
Speaking to AnewZ from Ankara, Bekir Ilhan of the Türkiye Research Foundation said the inclusion of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Defence and the head of intelligence demonstrated Türkiye’s determined diplomatic push on Syria.
"Türkiye, once again, clearly signalled its determination regarding the territorial integrity and political unity of Syria, I would say,” Ilhan said.
He also referenced the March 10, 2025 agreement between the Syrian interim government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which envisaged integrating the SDF into Syrian state structures. The pact was aimed at reinforcing national unity and ending years of fragmentation.
“So far… SDF has not taken any steps further to honour this agreement,” Ilhan continued, “and right now, Türkiye is just clearly signalling that it will do everything to ensure the territorial integrity and political unity of Syria.”
Mr Ilhan concluded that the high-level visit and accompanying talks demonstrate Türkiye’s sustained diplomatic engagement and strategic commitment to a unified Syria, combining foreign policy pressure with security cooperation and regional dialogue.
Turkey has conducted cross-border military operations against the SDF in the past.
High-level meeting
The Turkish delegation included Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Defense Minister Yaşar Güler, and the head of Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization, İbrahim Kalın.
They met with President of Syria Ahmed Al-Sharaa at the People’s Palace in Damascus.
Discussions during the meeting ranged from bilateral relations, regional security developments to ongoing initiatives for northeastern Syria.
They also, reportedly, touched on expanding intelligence and military coordination, as well as addressing the return of Syrian refugees.
Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra, and Syria’s General Intelligence chief, Hussein al-Salama were present during the dialogue.
Al-Shaibani also echoed concerns about delays in implementing the March agreement, stating that the SDF had shown “no willingness” to integrate into the central administration, despite the pact’s explicit call for unifying Syria’s territory through dialogue and peaceful means.
“Unfortunately, we have not seen any willingness from the SDF,” he said.
Fidan emphasised that Ankara expects swift implementation to secure long-term stability.
"The SDF has no real intention of making significant progress in the negotiations on integration with the Damascus administration,” he noted and warned that coordination with Israel complicates the process.
Officials also discussed broader regional security issues, including counter-terrorism cooperation, threats posed by the Islamic State group (IS), and interconnected security interests between Türkiye and Syria, according to Syrian media outlets.
Context and Broader Developments
The March 10 agreement, widely reported as pledging integration of SDF civil and military institutions into the Syrian state and affirming national sovereignty, has faced delays, with Kurdish forces accused by both Türkiye and Damascus of dragging their feet on implementation.
This has coincided with renewed tension on the ground.
Clashes recently erupted between Syrian government forces and the SDF in Aleppo’s northeastern neighbourhoods has led to the deaths of 2 civillians, injuring 15 others and displacing hundreds.
Türkiye has reiterated long-standing policy goals emphasising “one state, one army” in Syria, pushing for the SDF’s integration into national security structures as part of stabilisation efforts.
The Oligarch’s Design is an investigative documentary by AnewZ Investigations. It is built around the case of Ruben Vardanyan, but it is not a biogr...
Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments to China have surged by 1.6 million tonnes in November marking a 143% increase from the same period last...
At least 11 Afghan nationals have died were killed and nine others injured after a pickup truck collided with an oil tanker in Pakistan late on Sunday...
Senior Turkish officials have met with their Syrian counterparts in Damascus on Monday ahead of a deadline for Kurdish-led forces in the Country's nor...
U.S. President Donald Trump has criticised the release of photographs linking former President Bill Clinton to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey...
The Oligarch’s Design is an investigative documentary by AnewZ Investigations. It is built around the case of Ruben Vardanyan, but it is not a biography. It is a study of mechanisms, how money travels, how influence is packaged, and how narratives are built to look like truth.
Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments to China have surged by 1.6 million tonnes in November marking a 143% increase from the same period last year.
U.S. President Donald Trump has criticised the release of photographs linking former President Bill Clinton to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, calling the move a political distraction by Democrats.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 23rd of December, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Vince Zampella, co-creator of the Call of Duty gaming franchise, has died in a car crash involving a Ferrari crash on Monday in Los Angeles, United States.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is monitoring recent Iranian military exercises and will raise the issue with U.S. President Donald Trump during his visit to Washington next week.
Israel’s government has approved the creation of 19 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, a move that analysts say further undermines the prospects for a viable Palestinian state.
The European Union stands at a crossroads: to receive new members and accelerate the enlargement process in order to strengthen its role in the international arena, or to risk strategic stagnation by delaying expansion in favor of internal reform.
Paramount has reaffirmed its bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, offering $30 per share in cash and backing the proposal with a $40.4 billion personal equity guarantee from billionaire Larry Ellison, despite the target company’s board urging shareholders to reject the offer.
The Oligarch’s Design is an investigative documentary by AnewZ Investigations. It is built around the case of Ruben Vardanyan, but it is not a biography. It is a study of mechanisms, how money travels, how influence is packaged, and how narratives are built to look like truth.
As the European Commission warns of possible visa suspension, Georgian authorities reject accusations of democratic backsliding. What is really at stake — and who could be affected most?
Premium AI-95 gasoline produced in Azerbaijan will soon be available for sale in Armenia at a significantly lower price compared to local market rates.
The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) has long been a significant structure in the post-Soviet space, connecting former Soviet republics under a shared historical, cultural, and political framework.
AnewZ and Pakistan TV have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening cooperation in the media sector through staff training, content sharing and joint projects.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment