Istanbul, 22 December 2025: A high-level Turkish delegation will meet Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus on Monday. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Defence Minister Yasar Guler will assess bilateral relations. Talks will also review progress on the March 10 agreement with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
The March 10 deal aims to integrate the SDF’s semi-autonomous civil and military institutions into the Syrian state by year-end. So far, differences between Damascus and the SDF have delayed implementation. Fidan recently warned that patience among key actors is “running out.”
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Ankara also plans to discuss emerging security risks in southern Syria due to Israeli actions. Officials will explore Syria’s potential entry into the US-led coalition against the Islamic State (IS). Turkish sources said cooperation seeks to prevent IS from exploiting Syria’s fragile security situation.
Turkey shares a 900-kilometre border with Syria and has previously launched three military operations against IS and Kurdish fighters in northern Syria. IS lost its territorial control in 2019 but continues to maintain a presence, especially in the Syrian desert.
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The visit marks a step in strengthening Turkish-Syrian ties after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s long-standing rule late last year. Both sides aim to coordinate on security, counterterrorism, and regional stability.