Politics
Syria moves to new phase after major defeat of terrorist YPG
The Syrian army succeeded in curbing the U.S.-backed terrorist group YPG’s clout in the country and retook several towns after three days of clashes. On Sunday, Damascus announced a cease-fire and a “full integration” deal, sealing the fate of the terrorists for now. Developments are viewed as a key victory for the wider region, as Ankara, a major supporter of the new Syrian administration, highlighted.
“We know that the time given to the PKK and the deadline given to the YPG have now expired. Türkiye has also been waiting for nearly a year. That time is now over, and a step has been taken against the YPG. When we look at the declared cease-fire and the signed or announced 14-article agreement, we actually see that the YPG has lost,” assistant professor Mehmet Rakipoğlu of Mardin Artuklu University, told Daily Sabah on Monday.
Türkiye hopes the new agreement in Syria will advance efforts for stability based on territorial integrity and unity, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said Sunday after the deal was announced. “We hope it is fully understood that Syria’s future lies not in terrorism or division, but in unity and integration,” the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry noted that the new period that began in Syria on Dec. 8, 2024, seen as an exceptional opportunity for the country to achieve a prosperous future, has reached a critical stage as of today. It underlined the importance of recognizing realities on the ground and voiced hope that all groups and individuals in Syria now fully understand that the country’s future lies not in terrorism and division but in unity, cohesion and integration.
Türkiye will continue to support the Syrian government’s counterterrorism efforts carried out with an inclusive and unifying approach based on the consent of the people, as well as its work toward the reconstruction of the country, the statement added.
The YPG, the Syrian wing of the PKK, neither complied with Türkiye’s terror-free initiative for disarmament of the PKK, nor with a March 2025 deal for integration with the Syrian security forces.
Türkiye’s support to Syria, particularly the fight against terrorism, will continue, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told Syria’s President Ahmad al-Sharaa on Sunday.
Erdoğan and al-Sharaa discussed the latest developments in Syria in a phone call, the Turkish Communications Directorate said in a statement.
“Complete removal of terrorism from Syrian territory is necessary for both Syria and the entire region,” Erdoğan said.
Türkiye is a major supporter of post-Assad Syria and views the YPG as a threat to its own national security. Ankara has hinted that it may resort to a military option in Syria as it did in the past to thwart the YPG’s ambitions, but repeatedly called for dialogue to resolve the dispute between the YPG and Damascus. When the YPG insisted on not following up on the deal to integrate into the Syrian army, Damascus launched a sweeping offensive last Friday to take back areas occupied by the YPG since the civil war. Over the weekend, the army, backed by tribes launching an uprising against the YPG, retained control in the west of the River Euphrates, from Raqqa and Deir ez-Zour to Deir Hafir.
Ankara has campaigned for the removal of terrorist groups from its southern border for a long time, accusing foreign powers of giving them room in Syria. After the declaration of the deal on Sunday, Turkish social media was awash with messages praising Erdoğan’s remarks 11 years ago, where he told an audience in Istanbul that Türkiye would not allow a state by terrorist groups to be established in northern Syria, in reference to the YPG.
Apart from posing a national security threat, the YPG was also thwarting the recovery of Syria by holding oil-rich areas.
“The YPG was trying to legitimize its occupation of oil and natural gas fields through demographic engineering. It claimed that areas whose documents showed a predominantly Arab population were in fact Kurdish. We saw that this collapsed because tribal groups played a major role in this process. At the moment, only places like Hasakah remain, which already have a higher Kurdish population. In other words, the gains here belong not to YPG but to the Kurdish people themselves,” Rakipoğlu said. The YPG sought to portray clashes with the Syrian army as attacks on Kurds in Syria, as it claims to fight for maintaining so-called autonomy for the community in Syria. In response, Damascus has unveiled a set of reforms to improve the rights of Kurds in the country on Friday, seeking to shoot down the YPG’s arguments.
“The rights announced by Ahmad al-Sharaa in recent days, including citizenship for Kurds, are significant. The fact that he announced these alongside a military operation shows that Ahmad al-Sharaa favors peace. He wants an inclusive framework, one that does not open space for the YPG again. Rights have been granted. These are demanded rights, rights that should be granted anyway. Thus, these rights were given so that the YPG would no longer have any pretext. I believe the integration process will be in favor of Syria. That is, it will be against the PKK and against the YPG,” Rakipoğlu said. He pointed out that YPG lost everything prolonging its survival, especially border controls, oil and natural gas reserves. “We do not know to what extent the PKK will comply with this agreement, but assuming that it will, most likely, there is another key point: the collapse of American support for the PKK and YPG,” he said.
U.S. envoy Tom Barrack held talks with President al-Sharaa hours before the deal was announced and sources say the U.S. was instrumental in securing the deal, although Washington regards the YPG as a key partner. As a matter of fact, several YPG figures sought to rally the U.S. to stop “attacks” on the group in recent days and some even pleaded to Israel, another supporter of the YPG, for assistance.
“Many verified accounts and official pages are now sharing posts quoting Barrack, even using profanity. They did not get what they expected from the U.S. In this context, Ahmad al-Sharaa, during his one year in power, has acted pragmatically, not tactically but strategically, spreading the process over the long term. He addressed internal challenges not only by showing force domestically but also by integrating them with foreign policy. This included relations with the U.S., persuading Washington, and convincing Middle Eastern countries that the Syrian revolution would not spill beyond Syria’s borders. Agreements with the U.S., meetings in Paris via the U.S., talks with Israel, all of these clearly led to the end of American support for the PKK. Therefore, the PKK has no option other than integration. In fact, it has very little leverage left,” Rakipoğlu says.
According to the terms published by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), the agreement provides for an immediate and comprehensive cease-fire across all fronts and contact lines between government forces and YPG. The deal is to take effect in parallel with the withdrawal of all YPG-affiliated military formations to areas east of the Euphrates River as a preparatory step for redeployment.
Under the deal, the provinces of Deir el-Zour and Raqqa will be handed over fully and immediately to the Syrian government, both administratively and militarily. This includes the transfer of all civilian institutions and facilities in the two provinces. The agreement stipulates that current employees in Deir el-Zour and Raqqa will be formally retained within the relevant Syrian state ministries, and that the government will not take punitive measures against YPG personnel or members of the civil administration in the two provinces. It also stipulates the integration of all civilian institutions in Hasakah province into Syrian state institutions and administrative structures.
As part of the deal, the Syrian government will assume control of all border crossings and oil and gas fields in the region. These sites are to be secured by Syrian forces to ensure that revenues are returned to the state, according to SANA. Under the deal, all YPG military and security personnel will be integrated “individually” into the structures of Syria’s defense and interior ministries following mandatory security vetting.
In a social media post on Monday, ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) spokesperson Ömer Çelik said the decree by al-Sharaa was significant to safeguard the rights of Syria’s Kurds. Çelik said YPG was “tasked with doing the evil deeds of certain powers and acted as a separate state and army within Syria.” “This ran counter to the realities on the ground in Syria, the principle of ‘one Syria, one army.’ Türkiye repeatedly highlighted that this was not possible. Having two states and two armies means a civil war that would harm everyone. Terrorist groups acting in this manner proved that they were merely an apparatus of evil forces. It does not benefit anyone, be they Kurds, Arabs or Turkmens, but it is clear who will benefit,” Çelik said, without elaborating. Türkiye views the PKK and its affiliates as proxies for “imperialist forces” seeking to destabilize the wider region. Israel’s outreach to YPG and U.S. support for the terrorist group under the pretext of a joint fight against Daesh has long irked Ankara. Çelik said YPG sought to derail terror-free Türkiye and terror-free region goals but failed. He said both were interlinked and YPG, by not complying with the March 2025 deal with Damascus, acted as a tool of an evil project targeting Syrian Kurds and the entire Syria.
The terror-free Türkiye initiative, launched by government ally Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) in 2024, aims at the disarmament of the PKK. The YPG refused to join the initiative, though the PKK started a dissolution process last year. “The YPG’s coup attempt targeting those goals is stopped,” he said.
‘A right step’
Çelik stated that terrorist groups cannot represent any ethnic or religious group and their occupation of Syria cannot be defined as a “gain.” He said that the latest declaration by al-Sharaa was a clear sign of Syria’s internal integration and “a right step for our terror-free region goal.” “The true gain for our Syrian Kurdish brothers is the road map that began with the March 2025 deal, continued with the decree that safeguarded their rights and was framed with the latest (cease-fire and integration agreement).” “All steps taken to promote calmin Syria, to ensure unity and solidarity, and to eliminate terrorism are valuable. These efforts must be considered alongside the principle of taking an uncompromising stance in the fight against terrorism. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s policy of brotherhood toward neighboring countries and the peoples of the surrounding region continues with determination. We will continue to work so that the peoples of brotherly countries can have an honorable, peaceful, secure and prosperous future free from terrorism and imperialist domination. We continue to see that this strategy, built over years through patience, resolve and effort, produces the right outcomes for all, based on respect for the sovereignty of brotherly nations,” he concluded.
It remains to be seen how the YPG would respond to the deal, although the group is more weakened than ever. Rakipoğlu said their integration is a contentious issue.
“My assumption is that if an operation is carried out in places like Hasakah, then this agreement may be overtaken altogether, making integration unnecessary. I believe Syrian army forces will take control of border gates, city entrances and similar points. Locally, within cities, there may be some form of integration through policing, where YPG members lay down arms and join the army. However, I do not think figures like Ferhat Abdi Şahin and other senior YPG leaders will be integrated into the army. I believe they will leave for another country through safe zones or safe passage,” he said.
Difference with March deal
Rakipoğlu said the new agreement is more tangible than the March 2025 deal between Damascus and the YPG.
“There is no longer room for stalling or buying time for the YPG. We already knew that the March agreement would not be implemented without a military operation,” he said. He likened it to the terror-free Türkiye initiative. “The PKK (agreed to disarm) because there was no other option left for them. If the same stage is reached in Syria, then it could happen there too. But I do not yet think this operation has weakened the YPG in Syria to the same extent as in Türkiye. Therefore, they may demand revisions to the agreement and carry out localized attacks,” he warned.
“The PKK played the American card heavily. But both Türkiye’s efforts to bring relations with the U.S. onto a more stable footing, and Ahmad al-Sharaa strengthening his ties with Washington, have changed the equation,” Rakipoğlu added.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hosted Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Ankara on Thursday, as the two leaders discussed bilateral ties and a range of regional security issues, underscoring deepening cooperation between the Balkan neighbors.
Talks between Erdoğan and Vucic focused on strengthening friendly relations, as well as steps to support regional peace and stability. According to Turkish officials, discussions covered developments in the Balkans, the Russia-Ukraine war, the situation in Gaza and recent developments in Iran.
Ankara has emphasized the importance of enhancing regional solidarity and cooperation in the face of shared challenges, highlighting diplomacy and dialogue as central tools for stability.
The leaders also reviewed efforts to expand cooperation in areas including the defense industry, which has become an increasingly prominent component of bilateral ties. Officials said both sides assessed the outcomes of joint initiatives aimed at broadening collaboration across strategic sectors.
Moreover, economic relations have shown significant growth. Trade volume between Türkiye and Serbia rose by 35% in 2024 compared with the previous year, reaching $3 billion.
The two presidents have set a target of increasing bilateral trade to $5 billion.
Turkish direct investments in Serbia have also expanded sharply, rising from $1 million 12 years ago to $405 million. Turkish companies operating in Serbia employ approximately 10,000 people, according to official data.
During Erdoğan’s visit to Serbia on Oct. 11, 2024, the fourth meeting of the High-Level Cooperation Council was held under the co-chairmanship of the two presidents, reflecting the institutionalization of bilateral ties.
Vucic has previously expressed a desire to build the strongest possible relations with Türkiye, describing current ties as a “golden age” in relations between the two countries.
Thursday’s summit was seen by officials as a significant step in reinforcing diplomatic and economic bonds, as well as contributing to broader regional stability at a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty.
Serbia is regarded as one of Türkiye’s key partners in the Balkans, and relations between the two countries have expanded in recent years through frequent high-level contacts and growing economic engagement.
Türkiye and Nigeria share a common vision on counterterrorism and other key issues across Africa, Turkish Ambassador to Abuja Mehmet Poroy said during an interview on Thursday.
“Nigeria is critically important to any country pursuing an Africa-focused policy,” Poroy said while speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA), citing its role as West Africa’s “leading” country, the largest economy in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the fourth-largest on the continent, with a population surpassing 230 million.
According to Poroy, Abuja holds particular importance for Ankara as both nations confront similar security threats. Nigeria continues to battle terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP, mirroring Türkiye’s long-standing fight against various terrorist organizations.
Ankara remains committed to supporting Nigeria by sharing expertise, resources and capabilities, the ambassador said, highlighting ongoing cooperation against the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ) as a key pillar of the partnership.
“Nigeria’s stability is vital not only to West Africa but to the entire continent,” he stressed.
Describing the relationship in strategic terms, Poroy said Türkiye and Nigeria are “two countries that play strong, game-changing roles in their respective regions.”
Talks during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s first-ever visit to Türkiye focused on enhancing cooperation across multiple sectors, particularly security and counterterrorism, “areas where Nigeria is most in need of cooperation at the moment,” he said.
Tinubu’s Jan. 27 visit, which followed President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s trip to Nigeria in October 2021, underscored both governments’ “strong will” to advance ties. Nine agreements were signed, spanning security, education, and trade, with an emphasis on swift implementation for mutual benefit.
“We can say that we have entered a new phase in military cooperation, with closer coordination expected,” Poroy said, noting Ankara’s readiness to bolster Nigeria’s counterterrorism capacity.
Emphasizing Ankara’s “win-win” approach in Africa, he said it prioritizes respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty while opposing external interventions, a stance closely aligned with Nigeria’s commitment to “African solutions to African problems.”
Both governments recently took a joint position against Israel’s recognition of Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland, issuing statements in support of Mogadishu, including within the framework of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), he added.
“Türkiye’s stabilization efforts in Somalia are also highly valued by Nigeria, and that support carries particular weight given Nigeria’s standing as one of the continent’s leading nations,” Poroy said.
Support for Abuja’s leadership within ECOWAS, particularly in promoting democracy and regional peace, remains firm, he added, voicing backing for intensified dialogue and cooperation across West Africa.
During Erdoğan’s 2021 visit to Nigeria, three memorandums of understanding were signed in energy, mining and hydrocarbons, establishing a legal framework for cooperation. Working groups have since convened to develop models expected to translate into concrete projects.
Rich in solid minerals, Nigeria aims not only to extract resources but also to process them domestically, the ambassador said.
“Türkiye can share its capabilities in this area with Nigeria, and we expect concrete steps to be taken soon,” he added.
Significant potential also exists in electricity production and distribution. Turkish companies already operating in Nigeria are expanding their footprint, while interest in the country’s oil and natural gas sectors continues to grow amid efforts to deepen engagement.
A key outcome of Tinubu’s visit was the signing of a joint statement establishing the Joint Economic and Trade Cooperation Committee (JETCO), designed to remove trade and investment barriers, Poroy said.
Growing Turkish investment in Nigeria’s infrastructure sector is expected to accelerate through larger-scale projects, supported by agreements to prevent double taxation and promote and protect investments.
The $5 billion bilateral trade target remains central to the economic agenda.
“With JETCO becoming operational, we expect our bilateral trade, which is currently around $1 billion, to increase toward the $5 billion target,” Poroy said.
“We are eager to deepen our political ties and sustain comprehensive consultations on bilateral and regional issues.”
Tufan Erhürman , the president of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said Thursday that U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres pledged to maintain more frequent contact following their recent meeting, calling the move a significant step in ongoing diplomatic engagement.
Speaking at a press conference at Ercan Airport, Erhürman evaluated his Feb. 11 meeting with Guterres in New York, noting that it was their first face-to-face meeting.
He recalled that after being elected president, he sent a letter responding to Guterres’ congratulatory message, expressing his wish to arrange a meeting at the earliest possible time. Noting that Guterres responded faster than expected, Erhürman said they held a meeting lasting about one hour and 10 minutes on Feb. 11.
“First and foremost, we intended to once again convey our people’s will for a solution to the secretary-general. We did so. Secondly, from the very beginning of the meeting process, we put on the table our four-point methodology proposal, which we had shared with the public and the international community long before the election period,” Erhürman said.
“Various discussions and comments were made about this four-point methodology. We had the opportunity to explain face-to-face what these points mean for us and what exactly we intended with them,” he added.
As a third issue, he said he conveyed his views on confidence-building measures discussed in Geneva and New York and “taken over by us, as well as additional proposals presented by both us and Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides.”
Erhürman reiterated his view that meetings in the 5+1 format are not well suited for discussing confidence-building measures, which should instead be finalized during talks between the two leaders in Lefkoşa (Nicosia), the TRNC’s capital.
He said he observed no decline in Guterres’ interest in developments related to the island, adding that the secretary-general continues to closely monitor all progress.
Erhürman noted that the meeting, lasting nearly twice as long as planned, also demonstrated Guterres’ level of interest.
He said he briefed Guterres on proposals for new crossing points between the TRNC and the Greek Cypriot Administration. He emphasized that Guterres promised more frequent contact, though the format, whether in-person or otherwise, was not yet decided.
Erhürman added that past developments had weakened trust and communication between the sides. In addition, he said he explained that agreements the Greek Cypriot administration concluded with various countries on security and energy matters were also factors reducing trust, as they largely exclude Turkish Cypriots and Türkiye.
He stressed that these agreements concern areas involving Turkish Cypriots’ sovereign rights – including security, maritime jurisdictions, hydrocarbons, energy, trade routes and European Union citizenship – and therefore undermine confidence.
Erhürman said the secretary-general emphasized that a solution, stability and peace in Cyprus would contribute to lasting regional stability and peace and that he would therefore continue to follow the issue closely.
He also said he held a lengthy phone call the same evening with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, during which they discussed the meeting, and Fidan briefed him on the Türkiye-Greece dialogue process.
Erhürman-Guterres meeting
Erhürman met Guterres in New York on Feb. 11.
The meeting took place in a positive atmosphere, according to a statement from the TRNC Presidency.
The talks addressed current and regional developments, primarily the Cyprus issue. Erhürman conveyed his previously announced four-point methodology for the solution process and the latest developments regarding confidence-building measures.
The TRNC president also emphasized that the unjust and unlawful isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people must be lifted without further delay.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Thursday underscored deepening economic and defense ties between Türkiye and Serbia amid regional and global uncertainties, as they signed a joint declaration to boost bilateral cooperation.
Meeting in Ankara, the two leaders voiced satisfaction with the progress achieved under the High-Level Cooperation Council, established in 2017, and highlighted its role in advancing relations through four meetings held to date.
In a joint declaration adopted following the talks, the sides welcomed the rise in bilateral trade to $3.5 billion in 2025 and stressed the importance of taking coordinated steps to reach the new $5 billion target. They agreed to convene the next meeting of the Türkiye-Serbia Joint Economic Commission at the earliest opportunity, describing it as the backbone of economic and trade relations.
The leaders reaffirmed their determination to expand cooperation across a wide spectrum, including foreign policy, trade, defense industry, culture, tourism, education, energy, transportation, connectivity, advanced technologies and environmental issues.
They reiterated their commitment to boosting defense industry collaboration, in line with understandings reached during the fourth High-Level Cooperation Council meeting held in Belgrade in October 2024.
Erdoğan and Vucic also underlined the importance of EXPO 2027 in Belgrade for regional economic growth and cooperation and expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the first two meetings of the Balkan Peace Platform, held on July 26, 2025, and Jan. 23, 2026.
The two leaders welcomed the steady increase in mutual tourist numbers, noting its contribution to closer ties between the two nations, and praised Turkish construction firms for their successful infrastructure projects in Serbia, particularly in transportation and energy.
They pledged to accelerate efforts toward agreements strengthening the legal framework in advanced technologies and education and to enhance cooperation in civil aviation, culture and tourism.
Reaffirming their readiness to continue cooperation in bilateral and regional platforms to strengthen peace and stability in the Balkans, Erdoğan and Vucic emphasized the importance of regular high-level visits in further deepening ties and agreed to hold the next council meeting at the earliest opportunity.
In a joint news conference, Erdoğan said that Türkiye is working to ensure peace and stability in its region and beyond “at a time of rising global uncertainty,” stressing that Ankara “never neglects the Balkans.” The president emphasized regional engagement and highlighted Turkish efforts to promote peace and stability across the Balkans alongside broader diplomatic initiatives.
He said the two leaders assessed the impact of ongoing developments on their relationship and discussed next steps.
“At a time of rising global uncertainty, Türkiye is working to ensure peace and stability in our region and beyond, and we never neglect the Balkans,” he stressed.
During their talks, he noted that they also discussed how to maintain Balkan stability and strengthen regional economic development.
He also announced that Türkiye will participate in EXPO 2027, which Serbia will host in Belgrade, expressing confidence that the event will provide additional opportunities to strengthen economic, commercial, and cultural ties.
Erdoğan acknowledged Serbia’s strong interest in learning Turkish, saying institutions such as the Yunus Emre Institute and the Türkiye Maarif Foundation are working to meet that demand.
He said they also discussed development projects in the Sandzak region, which he described as a bridge of friendship between the two countries, and noted that Türkiye closely follows initiatives aimed at fostering growth there.
Erdoğan congratulated the Muslim community in Serbia on the upcoming holy month of Ramadan.
He also highlighted Türkiye’s efforts to promote regional ownership-based initiatives, citing the second meeting of the Balkan Peace Platform hosted in Istanbul on Jan. 23, 2026, and thanked Vucic for his personal support for the platform.
Erdoğan described Vucic’s visit as highly valuable for advancing peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.
Serbian president hails Erdoğan’s leadership, backs stronger bilateral cooperation
For his part, Vucic praised Erdoğan’s leadership and voiced support for deeper economic, political, and security cooperation between the two countries.
“When I speak to you, I do so with the utmost respect, as a great leader, not only of Türkiye, but also of the region and indeed a leader with global influence,” he said, noting that the issues discussed and conclusions reached were “very important.”
Vucic said Türkiye is “an extremely important partner for Serbia,” highlighting its political weight as well as its role in the economy, defense industry, and technology.
Turkish influence in economic, military, technological fields
He emphasized that although Serbia is smaller in size, it highly values Türkiye’s political importance and its influence in economic, military and technological fields.
He underlined that Turkish companies are investing in various parts of Serbia, particularly in less developed southern regions, creating job opportunities.
He said some in Serbia may not fully recognize the scale of Turkish investments in less developed regions, especially in the south, where companies are contributing to employment and development.
The Serbian leader also referred to major infrastructure projects involving Turkish public institutions and private firms, including road and railway developments, and expressed hope that Erdogan’s next visit to Serbia would be his largest ever, with “very important agreements” to be signed.
He said the two sides discussed numerous infrastructure projects in detail, including highway and railway developments, and expressed hope that agreements related to a key highway project would soon be signed to help resolve transportation challenges.
Balkan Peace Platform
“I strongly support President Erdoğan’s Balkan Peace Platform initiative,” Vucic said, adding that regional cooperation is “extremely important.”
He said he would gladly accept an invitation to participate in future meetings under the Balkan Peace Platform, describing the initiative as vital for preserving regional stability.
According to him, bringing together people and economies across the Balkans is essential for long-term peace and prosperity.
He also said the two sides discussed activating a joint committee that will have an intensive agenda in the coming months, noting that further frameworks for parliamentary friendship groups are expected to be established.
For the first time, he said, the leaders discussed cooperation in military and technical fields, including collaboration between their armed forces. Strengthening such cooperation could help preserve peace and ensure a better future for both nations, he added.
Vucic thanked Türkiye for agreeing to participate in EXPO 2027 to be hosted by Serbia, calling the decision important for expanding economic and cultural ties.
He described Erdoğan as an “experienced and wise leader” who knows how to contribute to peace, and said Serbia, as a sovereign and independent country, respects leaders who seek to preserve stability.
Vucic thanked Erdoğan for his hospitality and reiterated that Serbia looks forward to hosting him soon for what he hoped would be a landmark visit.
Türkiye and Syria have agreed to create a round-the-clock communication and coordination mechanism aimed at strengthening institutional cooperation and countering disinformation, Presidential Communications Deputy Director Ferhat Pirinççi said Thursday.
A Turkish delegation, including Ambassador to Damascus Nuh Yılmaz and senior officials from the Directorate of Communications, met with Syrian Information Minister Hamza Mustafa in the Syrian capital to discuss joint efforts and institutional cooperation in the field of communication.
Following the meeting, Yılmaz said Syria has recently gone through a critical period after years of internal conflict and has been exposed to intense disinformation campaigns, particularly during its fight against the PKK terrorist organization and in relation to developments in the coastal region and Sweida.
He noted that Türkiye has long faced similar disinformation campaigns and has developed significant experience and capacity in this field.
The two sides comprehensively evaluated how to better align their positions in combating disinformation, including through training programs, institutional capacity building and joint working mechanisms.
Pirinççi described the visit of a broad Turkish delegation as an important step and said one of the most significant outcomes of the talks was the decision to establish a continuous and clear coordination mechanism between the two institutions.
He added that the planned mechanism will facilitate regular communication, mutual exchange of experience and closer cooperation in areas such as combating disinformation, media perception management, public diplomacy and crisis communication.
Türkiye condemned Israel’s actions in the occupied Palestinian territories, specifically its actions in the West Bank, warning that recent decisions could undermine prospects for a two-state solution.
Speaking during the Turkish Defense Ministry’s weekly press briefing on Thursday, spokesperson Zeki Aktürk criticized Israel for ongoing cease-fire violations despite moving into the second phase of a Gaza peace plan.
Israel has faced global condemnation after its Security Cabinet approved measures on Sunday aimed at changing the legal and civil framework in the occupied West Bank to strengthen Israeli control, with several leaders describing it as a step toward de facto annexation of the occupied Palestinian territory.
Aktürk said Ankara condemned Israel’s decisions aimed at imposing a new legal and administrative status on the occupied West Bank following widespread destruction and attacks in Gaza. He stressed that such measures constitute a clear violation of international law and risk damaging ongoing efforts toward a negotiated settlement. “We once again emphasize that we will continue to support the Palestinian people’s efforts to establish an independent and sovereign state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital,” Aktürk said.
The Arab League held an emergency meeting on Wednesday in Cairo to discuss recent Israeli measures aimed at expanding illegal settlement activity and tightening its control of the occupied West Bank.
A statement after the meeting said the Arab League Council urged U.S. President Donald Trump to fulfill his pledge, as part of his efforts to achieve peace, and to take “practical and clear” steps to prevent Israel from annexing the occupied West Bank.
The council said any annexation of Palestinian land constitutes a war crime, expressing its support for the Palestinians’ right to full sovereignty of their state on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital and including its holy sites.
According to Israeli media, the measures include repealing a law that barred the sale of land in the West Bank to illegal Israeli settlers, unsealing land ownership records, and shifting authority for building permits in a settlement bloc near Hebron from a Palestinian municipality to Israel’s civil administration.
Developments in Syria
To a question, the spokesperson said Türkiye is closely monitoring the implementation of the Jan. 30 agreement between the Syrian government and the terrorist group YPG. “We continue to closely follow on the ground the implementation of the agreement signed between the Syrian government and the YPG on Jan. 30,” Aktürk said.
Last Tuesday, Syrian security forces entered the city of Qamishli under a “comprehensive agreement,” which includes a cease-fire and a phased integration deal with the YPG that was reached in late January to end the state of division in the country and lay the groundwork for a new phase of full integration. The Syrian Army launched an operation against the YPG on Jan. 16 in areas west of the Euphrates River. The operation later expanded east of the river with the participation of tribal forces, leading to most of the territories previously occupied by the group coming under government control.
Russian drone crash
Following the briefing, the Defense Ministry also issued a statement on yet another drone incident off Türkiye’s Black Sea coast. On Wednesday, authorities discovered parts of a drone off the coast of the Ünye district of Ordu province. Local media initially reported that it was loitering munitions of Iranian origin, but the ministry said on Thursday that it was likely a Russian drone and did not contain “any explosives.”
Several drones and unmanned maritime vehicles have been shot down or discovered crashed in recent months on Türkiye’s Black Sea coast and cities far from the coast. Authorities say it is a spillover of the raging conflict between Russia and Ukraine, as most of them were found to be of Russian or Ukrainian origin.
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