About our Turkey/Syria Relations news
Latest news on Turkey-Syria relations, providing comprehensive coverage of diplomatic ties, security cooperation, military operations and post-Assad developments in 2025.
Following the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, Turkey has emerged as a key player in shaping Syria's future. The two neighbouring countries, which share a 911-kilometre border, have rapidly moved to restore diplomatic relations after 12 years of tension. Turkey has reopened its embassy in Damascus and Turkish Airlines has resumed flights to the Syrian capital from 23 January 2025.
Recent high-level meetings between Turkish and Syrian officials have focused on security cooperation, particularly regarding the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northeastern Syria. Syria's new administration has pledged not to allow its territory to be used to threaten Turkey's security. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has emphasised Turkey's readiness to help combat terrorist threats, while Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has discussed military cooperation with his Syrian counterpart.
The human dimension of Turkey-Syria relations remains significant, with Turkey hosting approximately 3.6 million Syrian refugees. While some Syrians have begun returning home following the regime change, Turkish officials acknowledge that large-scale returns will take time due to Syria's devastated infrastructure and economy. Turkey has offered to assist in Syria's reconstruction and economic recovery.
The complex history between Turkey and Syria includes disputes over the Hatay Province, which joined Turkey in 1939, and water resources from the Euphrates and Tigris rivers. The countries experienced a period of improved relations in the early 2000s before the Syrian civil war led to a complete breakdown in diplomatic ties in 2012. Turkey's support for Syrian opposition groups ultimately proved decisive in the conflict's outcome.
The NewsNow feed provides real-time updates on this rapidly evolving relationship, covering diplomatic developments, security arrangements, economic cooperation, and humanitarian issues. As Syria enters a new era, Turkey's role as a regional power and its influence over Syria's transition remains a crucial story for anyone interested in Middle Eastern politics and international relations.