Turkish, Syrian defense ministers hold phone talks on Syria

The defense ministers of Türkiye and Syria engaged in direct diplomatic contact on Saturday, discussing current developments in the war-torn country. The conversation represents continued high-level communication between Ankara and Damascus amid ongoing security challenges in the region.

Ministerial Communication

Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler and his Syrian counterpart Murhaf Abu Qasra spoke by phone, according to an announcement from the Turkish National Defense Ministry. The ministry shared the information on the domestic social media platform NSosyal, though it did not provide specific details about the substance of their discussions. Such direct ministerial contacts indicate maintained channels of dialogue between the two neighboring nations.

Context of Syrian Security Situation

The ministerial conversation occurs against a backdrop of renewed violence in northern Syria, particularly in Aleppo. Since Tuesday, shelling attacks attributed to the YPG/SDF have reportedly caused civilian casualties and significant displacement in the Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud districts. These developments follow previous agreements between Syrian authorities and the SDF that have reportedly not been fully implemented.

Background of Agreements

In March 2025, the Syrian presidency announced an agreement for integrating the SDF into state institutions, followed by a more specific April 2025 accord concerning security arrangements in Aleppo neighborhoods. Those agreements included provisions for weapon restrictions and the withdrawal of SDF forces to areas east of the Euphrates River. Syrian authorities have stated that the SDF has not complied with these terms, contributing to ongoing instability.