Damascus, December 22, 2024 – The Europe Today: Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a pivotal meeting on Sunday with Syria’s newly appointed leader, Ahmad al Sharaa, in the Syrian capital, Damascus. This significant diplomatic engagement comes just two weeks after the dramatic ousting of Bashar al Assad, Syria’s leader of nearly 25 years, in a swift operation by opposition forces.
During a joint press conference, Fidan underscored Türkiye’s unwavering stance against the separatist PKK/YPG terrorist group, emphasizing the importance of Syria’s territorial integrity. “We must take action. The territorial integrity of Syria is non-negotiable,” Fidan declared.
Echoing this sentiment, al Sharaa stressed Syria’s firm rejection of armed groups’ presence within its borders, whether in areas under their control or in territories occupied by the PKK/YPG.
Fidan also addressed recent Israeli attacks on Syrian territory following the collapse of the Baath regime, calling them “absolutely unacceptable.” He condemned any attempts to exploit Syria’s transitional period to seize its land, reaffirming Türkiye’s commitment to standing by Syria and its people during this critical time.
Turkish diplomatic sources revealed that the meeting was attended by Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yilmaz and Burhan Koroglu, Türkiye’s Acting Charge d’Affaires at the Damascus Embassy. The delegation also met with Esaad Hassan Shaibani, Syria’s interim foreign minister, to discuss further cooperation.
Meanwhile, a senior U.S. diplomat for the Middle East visited Damascus on Friday, engaging with officials from Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS) to advocate for an “inclusive” political process. This marked the first direct interaction between U.S. officials and HTS following Assad’s retreat to Russia on December 8, which ended the Baath Party’s nearly six-decade rule.
The meeting signals the beginning of a new chapter in Syria’s political landscape, with regional and international players closely monitoring developments.
