Turkish FM Fidan meets Syria's new Islamist ruler Golani

Golani says all weapons, including those held by Kurdish-led forces in northwest Syria, will come under state control

DAMSCUS,— Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with Syria’s new Islamist ruler Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus on Sunday, signaling a potential shift in relations between the two nations.

Fidan’s visit comes after a statement by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier this week, announcing that Fidan would travel to Syria to discuss the formation of a new political framework for the country. Erdogan emphasized that Turkey’s goal is to help Syria establish a stable government structure and draft a new constitution.

During the meeting, pro-Turkey al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani and now presenting himself as closer to the Muslim Brotherhood, declared that all weapons in Syria would come under state control, including those held by Kurdish-led forces in Syrian Kurdistan.

He stated that all armed factions would disband and integrate into the Syrian army, a move aimed at consolidating control over the country’s military assets.

“We will absolutely not allow weapons outside state control,” al-Sharaa said at a press conference alongside Fidan. “Whether they come from revolutionary factions or from the areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), we will take action to bring all weapons under state authority.”

The SDF, which has received support from the United States in the fight against ISIS, is primarily composed of Kurdish fighters. Ankara has long considered the Kurdish-led SDF to be linked to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a group designated as a “terrorist” organization by Turkey.

Fidan also addressed the ongoing tensions between Turkey and the U.S. over Washington’s support for Kurdish fighters in Syria. “When we look at it from America’s perspective, the choice is clear — between a NATO ally like Turkey or a terrorist organization like the PKK,” Fidan said, emphasizing that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump would recognize the importance of prioritizing Turkey’s security interests.

Political analyst Henase Karin told iKurd News that “it is well-known that Golani has been fully supported by Turkey over the years.” She went on to say that with Golani now holding power in Syria, “it essentially means Turkey is exerting control over Damascus, with Golani acting as a puppet in Ankara’s hands.”

Henase further emphasized that Turkey’s focus is now on the Kurdish regions in northern Syria, specifically targeting the oil fields under Kurdish control. “Turkey’s ultimate goal is to secure those vital resources,” she added.

The meeting in Damascus follows a significant shift in Turkey’s foreign policy, as Ankara has traditionally supported Islamist forces seeking to oust Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

In addition to Fidan’s visit, Ibrahim Kalin, head of Turkey’s intelligence agency, visited Damascus on December 12, just days after Assad’s government regained control over Aleppo. The visits are part of a broader strategy by Ankara to help shape the political future of Syria and ensure that its security concerns are addressed.

Turkey has also called for the withdrawal of Kurdish fighters from Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava), a goal that aligns with its long-standing opposition to the presence of the YPG militia in the region. Ankara views the YPG, which is a key component of the SDF, as an extension of the PKK, and has conducted multiple military operations against Kurdish forces in northern Syria.

Turkey’s defense minister has expressed confidence that the Syrian government, with the support of Turkish-backed Syrian Islamist mercenary groups, will be able to expel the YPG from the northeast, which is a strategically important region for both Syria and Turkey. The region has been a point of contention for years, with the U.S. backing the SDF in its fight against ISIS, while Turkey continues to view the group as a major security threat.

The Kurdish-led force, which has been in control of large areas of northeastern Syria, has faced increasing pressure. The group, which espouses a model of democratic confederalism, has been a key ally of the U.S. in the fight against ISIS.

Since 2018, the Autonomous Administration has been created and become responsible for implementing a decentralized governance model in areas it controls. The Kurdish-led administration has emphasized gender equality, direct democracy, and environmental responsibility in its efforts to build a self-sustaining political system. However, these ideals have been challenged by ongoing conflicts with both Syrian Islamist forces and Turkish-backed groups.

The Kurdish forces, particularly the YPG and its affiliated units, have been credited with playing a crucial role in the defeat of ISIS. They have fought alongside U.S.-led coalition forces to reclaim territory from the extremist ISIS group. However, despite their successes, the Kurdish forces continue to face opposition from both Turkey and Syria, which seek to limit their influence in the region.

Turkey’s involvement in Syria’s evolving political landscape marks a shift in regional dynamics, with Ankara seeking to play a more active role in shaping Syria’s future while addressing its own security concerns.

Fidan’s visit to Damascus and the ongoing diplomatic efforts signal that both Turkey and Syria may be seeking to find common ground as the region enters a new phase of political reorganization.

(With files from Reuters | AFP | Agencies)