A senior Turkish delegation arrived in Damascus for a working visit aimed at advancing normalization and security coordination with Syria.

The delegation includes Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, National Defense Minister Yaşar Güler, and National Intelligence Organization (MİT) chief İbrahim Kalın.

The visit is among Türkiye’s first high-level engagements with Syria following the collapse of the Assad government in late 2024, marking a shift from indirect contacts to structured political and security dialogue.

March 10 Agreement Under Review

The core focus of the talks is the March 10, 2025 agreement, which outlines cooperation on border security, counterterrorism, and refugee returns.

Turkish and Syrian officials are reviewing implementation progress and identifying gaps in execution, particularly along border regions affected by militant activity and smuggling.

Meetings are being held with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and senior Syrian officials.

Discussions also cover the broader trajectory of bilateral relations over the past year, with Ankara seeking to accelerate normalization through institutional coordination.

Regional Risks and Counterterrorism

Security risks linked to Israeli military activity in southern Syria are part of the agenda, with both sides assessing implications for regional stability.

Another key issue is the risk of a Daesh resurgence, as both Türkiye and Syria view renewed extremist activity as a shared threat requiring closer intelligence and operational cooperation.

The visit is also expected to focus heavily on the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which Türkiye considers linked to the PKK/YPG.

While no official outcomes have been announced, the security dimension is widely seen as central to the talks.

Reconstruction and Capacity Building

Beyond security, discussions include reconstruction efforts and capacity building for Syrian state institutions.

Türkiye is exploring ways to contribute to Syria’s economic recovery through bilateral projects and administrative support.

As part of this process, newly appointed Turkish Ambassador Nuh Yılmaz is expected to begin his duties in Damascus.

The delegation arrived in Damascus in the morning hours, and meetings were ongoing at the time of reporting.

Turkish officials have indicated that further details will be shared following the conclusion of talks.