Turkey resumes diplomatic ties with Syria, reopens embassy in Damascus after 12 years

Hakan Fidan, Turkey’s Foreign Minister, announced that a Turkish diplomatic delegation has been sent to Syria, and the Turkish embassy will resume operations on Saturday, December 14. Turkey had closed its embassy 12 years ago due to deteriorating relations with Bashar al-Assad’s government and the escalation of the Syrian civil war.

In an interview with NTV on Friday, December 13, Fidan stated, “We want to see a Syria free of terrorism, where minorities are treated fairly. We seek an inclusive government in Syria.”

Turkey had closed its diplomatic mission in Syria in April 2012 due to the growing tensions between Ankara and Damascus and the intensification of the civil war. This marks a significant step toward normalizing relations between the two countries after years of conflict and political disagreements.

The resumption of the Turkish embassy’s activities comes as part of a broader regional shift, with several countries reassessing their policies toward Syria. As the war in Syria enters its thirteenth year, the situation remains complex, with the international community divided on how to engage with the Assad regime.

The Turkish government’s decision to re-establish diplomatic ties reflects its strategic interests in the region, especially concerning security and the handling of Kurdish militias in northern Syria. Turkey has long been concerned about the Kurdish insurgency along its border and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which it views as linked to the PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party), a group classified as a terrorist organization by Turkey.

This development highlights a shift in Turkish foreign policy, moving towards reconciliation and engagement with Syria. Despite challenges, this diplomatic re-engagement could have broader implications for the stability of the region, particularly in relation to Turkey’s efforts to curb terrorism and address refugee concerns.

The resumption of relations may also pave the way for economic and trade cooperation between the two neighboring countries, signaling a potential end to the diplomatic isolation that has persisted for over a decade.

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