Türkiye’s warships dock at Latakia in first visit since Syrian war

Türkiye’s National Defense Ministry announced Monday that ships belonging to the Turkish Naval Forces Command have arrived at Syria’s Latakia Port, marking the first such naval visit to the war-torn country in over a decade. The ministry confirmed the arrival in an official statement, noting the significance of the port call at the Mediterranean harbor that has remained closed to Turkish military vessels throughout the prolonged conflict.

Turkish Naval Forces Commander Admiral Ercument Tatlioglu was aboard the TCG Istanbul, one of the vessels participating in the visit, the ministry added. The admiral’s presence aboard the flagship signals the high-level importance Ankara attaches to this engagement with Damascus, officials said, noting the visit comes amid gradually shifting regional dynamics following years of severed ties.

First visit since conflict began

The defense ministry stated that this marks the first visit by Turkish naval vessels to Latakia since the Syrian civil war erupted in 2011, a conflict that has devastated the nation and strained regional relations. Latakia has historically served as Syria’s primary maritime gateway on the Mediterranean, hosting the country’s largest commercial and military port facilities throughout the protracted hostilities.

The Syrian civil war began in March 2011 and has since claimed hundreds of thousands of lives while displacing millions of civilians across the region. Latakia Port remains Syria’s primary maritime gateway on the Mediterranean, having served as a critical logistical hub throughout the more than decade-long conflict.