FM: Turkish intel chief's Damascus visit signals Türkiye’s role in shaping Syria's post-conflict era

Türkiye's National Intelligence Organization (MIT) chief Ibrahim Kalin visited Damascus after extensive consultations with both regional and Western countries, said Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

"How should regional and global countries communicate with the new administration in Damascus? Through our contacts, we observed general perceptions and demands,” Fidan said, Caliber.Az reports via Turkish media.

"There were certain principles that most parties seemed to agree on. These include preventing terrorist organizations from benefiting from Damascus in the new era, ensuring good treatment of minorities, especially Christians, Kurds, Alevis and Turkmen, and establishing an inclusive government," the minister noted.

“Other concerns included ensuring that Damascus does not pose a threat to its neighbours,” he added.

Fidan said that during Kalin's visit to Damascus, he conveyed the views of the international community, the region and Türkiye to the other side. Based on this, a meeting was held on December 14 in Aqaba, Jordan, where further discussions took place.

The meeting participants reaffirmed their full support for Syria’s unity, territorial integrity, and sovereignty, stressing the importance of respecting human rights, including the rights of women and minorities, preserving state institutions that serve the Syrian people, ensuring the delivery of vital services, granting unrestricted access to humanitarian aid, facilitating the free movement of displaced persons and returnees, safeguarding diplomatic facilities and personnel, and securing Syria's chemical weapons stockpiles safely.

By Khagan Isayev