Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Syrian Foreign Minister As'ad al-Shaybani held a joint press conference in Ankara to discuss Syria's stability.
The meeting marks a critical diplomatic effort to address long-standing security tensions and the governance of Kurdish-led territories. Because Turkey views certain Kurdish militias as national security threats, the integration of these forces into the Syrian state is a central point of contention.
During the talks, Fidan said that the stability of Syria is a regional priority. He said fighters from the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) should stop delaying their integration with the Syrian government [4].
Reports on the timing of the conference vary. MSN reported the meeting took place on March 10, 2025 [1], while Reuters reported it occurred on August 13, 2025 [2].
Syrian Foreign Minister As'ad al-Shaybani addressed internal unrest during the conference. He said that events in Suwayda were fabricated by Israel to sow sectarian strife in that region [3].
The two ministers emphasized that achieving a stable Syrian state is essential for the broader security of the Middle East. The discussions focused on creating a framework where the Syrian government can reclaim authority over its borders while addressing the status of Kurdish forces, a move Turkey views as necessary to eliminate militant corridors along its southern border.
“"Stability in Syria is a regional priority,"”
This diplomatic engagement suggests a shift toward formalizing the relationship between Ankara and Damascus. By pressuring the YPG to integrate into the Syrian government, Turkey aims to neutralize the influence of Kurdish autonomy in northern Syria. Meanwhile, the Syrian government's rhetoric regarding Israel indicates a continued strategy of attributing internal instability to foreign interference to maintain domestic control.
