Türkiye, UK to discuss Syria, regional issues in Ankara

Consultation talks between Turkish and British officials are scheduled to take place in Ankara on March 3.

The discussions will be led by Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yılmaz and the U.K. Minister for the Middle East, Hamish Falconer. The focus of the talks will be Syria, alongside other regional issues on the shared agenda, Caliber.Az reports, referencing Turkish media.

Türkiye’s perspective on Syria

Yılmaz is expected to outline Türkiye's stance on Syria’s security, stability, and economic recovery. Emphasis will be placed on the need for international support for steps taken by the Syrian government toward national reconciliation. The importance of lifting all sanctions unconditionally to aid Syria’s reconstruction and economic development will also be highlighted.

Syrian call for sanction lifting

Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa has repeatedly called for the removal of Western sanctions imposed on Syria, citing the need to end the isolation of President Bashar Assad and promote a political resolution to the ongoing conflict. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani claimed that the government has succeeded in suspending or easing some sanctions. Last month, the European Union lifted several sanctions, including those related to energy, banking, transport, and reconstruction.

Focus on terrorism and Syria’s sovereignty

The talks will also underscore the importance of excluding terrorism from Syria’s future. There will be a focus on halting Israel's actions that violate Syria's sovereignty. The recent national dialogue conference in Damascus called for the disarmament of armed groups outside the official military, implicitly referencing the YPG—an offshoot of the PKK terrorist group supported by the U.S. The conference stressed the establishment of a professional national army and a monopoly on weapons by the state.

PKK/YPG and security concerns

Northern and northeastern Syria remain under the control of the YPG, which the U.S. partners with in the fight against Daesh. However, Ankara sees the PKK/YPG's presence near its border as a direct threat to national security, demanding that Washington withdraw support for the group. The Syrian National Army (SNA), backed by Türkiye, has been engaged in ongoing clashes with the PKK/YPG. The SNA recently reclaimed two key towns from the group, with fighting continuing around Tishrin Dam near Manbij.

Türkiye’s concerns over Israeli actions

Additionally, Türkiye has expressed concerns over Israel's actions in Syria since the fall of Assad. Ankara has criticized Israel for exploiting the situation to expand its regional influence, particularly following the occupation of the Syrian Golan Heights. Israel’s recent military activities in the area, including airstrikes and territorial incursions, have been condemned by the U.N. and several Arab nations, as they violate the 1974 disengagement agreement with Syria.

The Türkiye-U.K. consultations are expected to further address these key concerns, alongside other regional developments.

By Khagan Isayev