US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Visit Türkiye
Ankara, The Gulf Observer: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is scheduled to visit Türkiye on Friday to meet with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, according to a senior Turkish official. The meeting is expected to focus on the rapidly evolving situation in Syria following the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad.
Assad, who ruled Syria for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia after opposition forces swiftly seized control of Damascus on Sunday, ending the Baath Party’s six-decade rule in the country.
In preparation for the high-level talks, Blinken and Fidan held phone conversations on December 7 and 10 to address the latest developments in Syria. Fidan emphasized the importance of preserving Syria’s territorial integrity and political unity during these discussions, according to sources from the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
Fidan also called for international support to assist in rebuilding Syria’s infrastructure, which has suffered years of neglect. He stressed the need for uninterrupted humanitarian aid delivery to the Syrian people and reiterated Türkiye’s commitment to preventing terrorist groups from exploiting the situation in Syria.
Ankara has expressed long-standing frustration with Washington’s support for the YPG/PYD, which Türkiye considers an extension of the PKK, a group designated as a terrorist organization by both the US and Türkiye.
US forces maintain a presence in areas controlled by the YPG/PYD in Syria, including key oil fields, citing the fight against Daesh as justification. Washington has also been criticized for sending reinforcements to these regions, a policy that has further strained relations with Türkiye.
Blinken’s visit is expected to address these contentious issues while exploring avenues for enhanced cooperation between Washington and Ankara in stabilizing Syria and ensuring the well-being of its people. The discussions will also likely focus on preventing further escalation in the region and maintaining regional security.
This visit marks a critical juncture in US-Türkiye relations as both nations navigate the implications of Assad’s ouster and the challenges of rebuilding a fractured Syria.
