Turkish and US DefMins hold talks on Syria situation

Turkish National Defense Minister Yaşar Güler and United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth conducted a telephone conversation on Tuesday, focusing on the evolving situation in Syria and broader regional security matters. The discussion underscores ongoing military diplomacy between the two NATO allies amid significant shifts in northeastern Syria.

Focus on Bilateral and Regional Security

A statement from the Turkish National Defense Ministry confirmed the call, noting that the two officials exchanged views on bilateral defense relations and current regional security issues. While the statement did not provide specific details, the talks are widely understood to have centered on recent developments involving the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the YPG, which Türkiye designates as a terrorist organization.

Context of Changing US Policy

The dialogue occurred against the backdrop of notable U.S. policy statements. Earlier on Tuesday, U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack remarked that the YPG/SDF's role as the "primary anti-Daesh force on the ground" has "largely expired," suggesting that the Syrian government is now prepared to assume full security responsibilities. This represents a potential alignment with Türkiye's long-standing position that the Syrian state should control its own territory and that the YPG is not a legitimate partner.

Ceasefire Announcement and Strategic Implications

Following the ministerial call, the Syrian Defense Ministry announced a four-day ceasefire with the SDF. This sequence of events points toward a rapidly changing landscape where Damascus is reasserting authority over areas previously held by the U.S.-backed group. For Türkiye, which has conducted multiple cross-border operations against the YPG, these developments are of critical importance, potentially reducing a major security threat along its southern border and validating its strategic arguments to Washington.