Key security threats along Syria border have disappeared: Turkish envoy

DAMASCUS

Türkiye’s Ambassador to Damascus Nuh Yılmaz has said the main security threats along the Turkish-Syrian border have been eliminated since Syria’s new administration took office.

Yılmaz discussed the diplomatic engagement between Ankara and Damascus and regional developments in an interview with the Qatar-based Al Jazeera channel’s “Syria Now” program.

During an interview with Qatar-based Al Jazeera channel, Yılmaz said Türkiye’s position on terrorist elements in the region was clear, stressing that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and PKK/YPG 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.

Assessing security conditions and military contacts between the two countries, Yılmaz 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 in December 2024.

Asked about a possible visit by Erdoğan to Syria, Yilmaz said such a trip remained an aspiration.

“Mr. President has great affection for Damascus and the Umayyad Mosque. Contacts that had been planned previously were postponed because of developments in the region.

“We hope to see Mr. President in Damascus before the end of this year. That historic image of Mr. Erdoğan and Mr. al-Sharaa walking together at the Umayyad Mosque would proclaim to the world the strength of the strategic partnership between the two countries,” he said.