Turkish FM Meets HTS Leader in Damascus, Urges PKK/YPG Dissolution and Lifting of Sanctions

Dec 22, 2024, 06:40 PM

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with Ahmed al-Sharaa, the leader of Syria's new administration and head of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, in Damascus. The meeting marks a significant diplomatic engagement following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad on December 8, 2024, after a 12-day operation led by HTS. Fidan emphasized Turkey's commitment to supporting Syria's territorial integrity, which he described as 'non-negotiable,' and reiterated that there is no place for the PKK/YPG terror group in the country. He urged the PKK/YPG to dissolve itself and stressed the importance of lifting sanctions on Syria to aid its economic recovery and facilitate the return of displaced Syrians. Al-Sharaa acknowledged Turkey's support since the beginning of the Syrian revolution and discussed the future of Syria, including the establishment of a strong government and the unification of military forces under a new Defense Ministry, which will be announced in the coming days. Both leaders expressed a desire to build strategic relations between Ankara and Damascus, focusing on political, economic, and social ties. Fidan also called for international engagement with Syria's new administration and criticized Israel's actions in Syrian territory, urging respect for Syria's sovereignty.