Turkey’s Hakan Fidan Addresses Security Concerns Regarding Syria in Damascus Visit
During his first visit to Damascus since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized Turkey’s readiness to take necessary measures for its security if the new Syrian government fails to address Ankara’s concerns regarding U.S.-allied Kurdish militias. Fidan criticized the PKK-affiliated YPG for controlling significant territory and resources in Syria. Ahmad al-Saara, the new Syrian leader, called for the lifting of international sanctions against Syria, while also pledging to bring all weapons under state control.