Turkish and Syrian Security Officials too meet in Ankara Amidst YPG Concerns
Ankara – Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will host a delegation of Syrian officials in Ankara on Sunday for discussions focused on bolstering security cooperation between the two nations. The meeting marks a critically important step in ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions and address shared security concerns, particularly regarding Kurdish militant groups operating within Syria.
The talks come as Türkiye seeks to solidify a path toward normalization with the Syrian government, a relationship fractured by the Syrian civil war. A joint statement from the Turkish Foreign Ministry confirmed that Defence Minister Yaşar Güler and intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalın will also participate, alongside their Syrian counterparts. This high-level engagement underscores the seriousness with which Ankara views the need for collaborative security measures, especially considering recent developments concerning the YPG and the ongoing threat posed by daesh.
Earlier this week,Foreign Minister fidan called on the YPG – considered by Türkiye to be a terrorist association linked to the PKK - to relinquish its “separatist agenda,” following a declared cease-fire between the group and the Syrian government. On March 10th, the Syrian presidency announced an agreement intended to integrate the YPG into Syrian state institutions, affirming Syria’s territorial integrity and rejecting separatist ambitions. however, reports indicate the YPG has already breached the terms of this agreement.
Türkiye has consistently maintained that the YPG represents a threat to its national security and has previously launched military operations in northern Syria targeting the group. Alongside addressing the YPG issue, Ankara has pledged support for Syria’s counter-terrorism efforts against Daesh. A military cooperation deal signed in August outlines Türkiye’s commitment to providing Syria with weapons systems, logistical support, and military training.