Saeed Abdulrazek

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that bringing all weapons and armed groups under legitimate state control is essential to Syria’s unity and broader regional stability. Damascus and Ankara pledged closer counterterrorism, defense and security cooperation, including support for state sovereignty in Iraq and Lebanon and the integration of the Syrian Democratic Forces into state institutions. Fidan condemned Israeli attacks on Syria and urged compliance with the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, while both ministers discussed Palestinian and Lebanese issues. They also outlined plans to expand trade, transport, banking, reconstruction and energy cooperation, facilitate the return of Syrians, and develop rail and road links connecting Türkiye, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Jordan.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed counterterrorism, energy, water management, trade, and the Strategic Development Road during al-Zaidi’s visit to Ankara. The two countries agreed to advance the Development Road project, continue cooperation on Tigris-Euphrates water resources, and extend the agreement governing Iraqi oil exports through the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline. They also reviewed security cooperation involving the PKK and the integration of the Syrian Democratic Forces into Syrian state institutions. The visit reflects efforts to deepen Iraq-Türkiye strategic ties and create alternative energy and transport routes amid the Iran war and restrictions affecting the Strait of Hormuz.