Türkiye, Syria Enhance Security Cooperation

Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi met with his Syrian counterpart, Anas Khattab, in Damascus to discuss deepening bilateral security and border cooperation. The extensive talks focused on combating cross-border crime and terrorism, with Turkey offering technical assistance for Syrian passport printing, traffic control, and emergency systems. The ministers also explored visa facilitation for Syrian students and merchants, alongside strategies to encourage the repatriation of migrants. Emphasizing that Turkey is not forcibly deporting refugees, Çiftçi stated on social media, “We prioritize voluntary, safe, dignified, and orderly returns.” He reaffirmed Ankara’s commitment to the region’s stability, pledging continued “sincere and constructive support for our neighbor Syria to regain peace.”