Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan hosted a high-level Syrian delegation in Ankara on Wednesday for talks aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and addressing regional challenges.

The delegation, led by Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, included Syrian Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra and Intelligence Chief Anas Hasan Khattab, marking a significant step in the deepening ties between Türkiye and Syria’s new administration.

During the meeting at the Turkish Foreign Ministry, discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in security, reconstruction, and regional stability, according to diplomatic sources.

A joint press conference followed, where both ministers addressed critical issues, including Israel’s role in regional conflicts. Fidan accused Israel of being a key actor behind recent unrest in Suwayda, Syria, stating: “One of the main actors behind this dark picture has turned out to be Israel.” He emphasized Türkiye’s vision for a unified Syria, saying: “The new Syria should be a Syria where all peoples, beliefs, and cultures are preserved and can live together.”

Syrian Foreign Minister al-Shaibani echoed concerns about external interference, particularly condemning “Israel’s repeated threats” that he said undermine the security of Syrian citizens. “Certain quarters want Syria to disintegrate based on ideologies, based on ethnicity, and obviously we are against all these efforts,” he stated, reaffirming Syria’s commitment to territorial integrity and centralized governance.

The talks also covered Türkiye’s offer of military assistance and capacity-building support to Syria’s new administration to combat terrorist groups, including the Islamic State (IS) and the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which Türkiye views as linked to the PKK, a designated terrorist organization. Fidan highlighted Türkiye’s readiness to share intelligence and provide operational support, noting: “We have extensive experience in collaborating with third countries in the fight against terrorist organizations, and we aspire to establish similar cooperation with the new Syrian administration.”

This meeting follows a series of diplomatic engagements between Türkiye and Syria, including Fidan’s visit to Damascus on August 7, 2025, where he met Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa and al-Shaibani to discuss reconstruction and counterterrorism efforts. The Ankara meeting underscores Türkiye’s growing role in supporting Syria’s recovery after the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, with both nations prioritizing a unified, stable Syria free from external destabilization. (ILKHA)