Foreign News
Türkiye-Syria border ‘security problems disappeared’: Turkish envoy
Türkiye’s Ambassador to Damascus, Nuh Yilmaz, said the main security threats along the Turkish-Syrian border have been eliminated since Syria’s new administration took office.
Yilmaz discussed the diplomatic engagement between Ankara and Damascus and regional developments in an interview with the Qatar-based Al Jazeera channel’s “Syria Now” programme.
He said Türkiye’s largest diplomatic mission in the world is in Damascus, highlighting the historical roots of bilateral relations, as well as military and economic cooperation and shared determination to fight terrorism.
Pointing to the deep historical and cultural ties between Türkiye and Syria, Yilmaz said Damascus holds a special place in the Turkish national memory.
“Throughout history, this ancient city, known as ‘Sham al-Sharif,’ has carried a deep-rooted legacy stretching from the Ottoman Empire to the Seljuks.
“From the call to prayer at the Umayyad Mosque to our shared traditions, the most distinctive traces of our culture continue to live on here,” he said.
‘Security problems disappeared’
Assessing security conditions and military contacts between the two countries, Yilmaz recalled Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s principle that “Syria’s security is Türkiye’s security.”
He said the main strategic security problems along the border had disappeared following the change in Syria’s administration.
“After December 8, 2024, four strategic security problems — human smuggling, drug trafficking, uncontrolled migration and terrorism — suddenly disappeared along our border,” Yilmaz said.
He also cited a visit by Turkish naval vessels to Latakia Port as a concrete sign of future military and maritime cooperation.
“The visit of Turkish Navy vessels to Latakia Port is also the most concrete indication of the cooperation we will undertake in the military and maritime fields in the coming period.
“We are ready to stand by the Syrian army in meeting its training, equipment, and logistical needs,” he said.
Ankara closely following process
Yilmaz said Türkiye’s position on terrorist elements in the region was clear, stressing that the PKK/YPG/SDF must be completely removed from the region.
He said Ankara was closely following the process between the Syrian government and the YPG, adding that the complete elimination of PKK and SDF elements across Türkiye, Syria, and Iraq was necessary to preserve Syria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
“We envision the dream not only as an environment where terrorism has ended in Türkiye, but across our entire region.
