Türkiye and U.S. Discuss Southern Syria Amid Fragile Ceasefire: Ankara Urges De-escalation and Respect for Syrian Sovereignty

By Ahora Qadi

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a phone conversation on Friday with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss the rapidly evolving situation in southern Syria, following the Syrian government’s declaration of a nationwide ceasefire and the subsequent address by Syrian Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Ceasefire in Southern Syria Draws Regional Attention

The conversation between the two top diplomats comes at a critical juncture, as Damascus moves to quell the spiraling violence in Suwayda and neighboring regions. Earlier in the day, Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa acknowledged the severity of the unrest, describing the clashes as “a dangerous inflection point” that escalated due to confrontations between armed factions and Bedouin communities, later compounded by Israeli airstrikes.

Sharaa warned that retaliatory violence, forced displacement, and separatist ambitions had fueled a security and humanitarian crisis, stressing that only the Syrian state could ensure order and national unity.

Fidan: Israel’s Attacks Undermine Regional Peace Efforts

In the call with Secretary Rubio, Foreign Minister Fidan emphasized the urgent need to halt the fighting in southern Syria and to preserve calm. He underscored the importance of upholding the understanding reached among all parties and warned that Israeli interventions on Syrian soil only exacerbate tensions and undermine Syria’s territorial integrity, unity, and sovereignty.

Fidan stated that such aggressions not only violate international norms but also directly threaten regional peace initiatives.

Preventing Terror Exploitation and Supporting Constructive Roles

Minister Fidan cautioned against allowing terrorist groups to exploit the current unrest in southern Syria and asserted Turkey’s firm stance in preventing such scenarios. He also voiced support for Washington’s “constructive role” in Syria, signaling Turkey’s readiness to work alongside the U.S. and other international partners toward a permanent resolution to the conflict.

“There is now a real opportunity to build Syria’s future,” Fidan reportedly said, urging that this momentum not be lost.

Gaza Situation Also Addressed

Beyond Syria, the two officials also reviewed the situation in Gaza. Minister Fidan reiterated Ankara’s demand for the swift establishment of a lasting ceasefire and highlighted the urgency of facilitating humanitarian aid delivery to the besieged region.

Friday’s diplomatic exchanges follow a flurry of regional and international efforts to restore calm in Syria. Both President al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Fidan stressed the need to prevent further descent into chaos and reaffirmed their commitment to sovereign solutions.