Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan preempted discussions with a Syrian government delegation in Ankara by announcing that the talks would focus on supporting Syria and reconstruction efforts.
Addressing parliament on Wednesday, Erdogan stated: “Israel must immediately cease its hostilities on Syrian territory; otherwise, the consequences will negatively affect everyone.”
The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted Turkish-Syrian talks on Wednesday under the 3+3 format, involving Foreign Ministers Hakan Fidan and Asaad Al-Shibani, Defense Ministers Yasar Guler and Marhaf Abu Qasra, and intelligence chiefs Ibrahim Kalin and Anas Khattab.
According to sources in Türkiye, the discussions addressed developments in Syria, particularly the status of the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), the largest faction within the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The talks also covered the ongoing clashes between the SDF and the Türkiye-backed Syrian National Army factions in eastern Aleppo. Ankara aims to resolve the issue by disarming the YPG, expelling foreign fighters from Syria, and integrating Syrian fighters into a unified Syrian army.
Sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the talks also explored cooperation in security, counterterrorism, energy, reconstruction, and development.
Additionally, the agenda included the “voluntary and safe return” of Syrian refugees and efforts to lift sanctions imposed on Damascus.
The sources noted that Türkiye would reiterate its support for the Syrian administration in various areas to ensure a successful transitional phase and achieve security and stability in Syria.
In a speech to the parliamentary group of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) on Wednesday, Erdogan declared: “We will not allow any form of chaos in Syria, nor will we permit seeds of discord to be sown between us and the Syrian people.” He also warned Israel against continuing its hostilities on Syrian territory.
“Everyone must withdraw their hands from the region. Together with our Syrian brothers, we are capable of crushing ISIS, the YPG, and all terrorist organizations in a short time,” Erdogan stated.
He described the YPG as the “biggest problem in Syria now, after the removal of former President Bashar al-Assad,” and warned that if the YPG fighters do not disarm, they “will not escape their inevitable fate.”
He also emphasized that Türkiye is committed to addressing the concerns of Syrian Kurds and guarantees their security.
Meanwhile, five SDF fighters were killed in drone strikes and artillery shelling by Türkiye on the Seri Tel axis near the Tishrin Dam in eastern Aleppo. The number of casualties among Turkish-backed factions rose to 13 over two days amid ongoing clashes between the two sides.
The fighting, now in its second month, has yet to alter territorial control. Türkiye-backed factions have taken over Tell Rifaat and Manbij but are facing stiff resistance from the SDF and its affiliated Manbij Military Council forces in attempts to breach the strategic Tishrin Dam axis.
Simultaneously, the US-led international coalition against ISIS conducted night drills with the SDF on Tuesday-Wednesday in the Qasrak base in western Al-Hasakah countryside. The exercises involved live ammunition and artillery shells to enhance coordination and combat readiness against potential threats in the region.
