Turkey - AL-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Turkey

Turkey

May 15, 2025

Ankara 9:38 am

12°C

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan looks adjusts his earpiece during bilateral talks with the US President the NATO Summit in Vilnius on July 11, 2023.

Erdogan thanks Trump for ‘historic’ Syria decision during Sharaa meeting

The Turkish president also said his country was ready to support Damascus in the fight against the Islamic State and in maintaining the security of ISIS camps.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth attend a bilateral meeting between the US President and Saudi Crown Prince in Riyadh on May 13, 2025.

Analysis

A first in 15 years, Rubio to meet Syria’s FM in Turkey: What to know

A landmark meeting in Antalya follows Trump’s surprise decision to lift Syria sanctions, handing Ankara a diplomatic victory.

Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

Smoke billows near a military hospital in Harasta, northeast Damascus, following Israeli airstrikes across Syria overnight on May 3, 2025.

Jordan, Turkey, Syria FMs slam 'Israeli expansionism' after Ankara meeting

Jordanian, Turkish and Syrian top diplomats have criticized Israeli attacks on Syria.

An Iraqi Kurdish woman waves a flag bearing the portrait of the founder of the Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK) Abdullah Ocalan as people gather at Freedom Park to listen to an audio message by the jailed leader in Sulaimaniyah, in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region on Feb. 27, 2025.

PKK ends 40-year war against Turkey, vows to pursue Kurdish rights

The disarmament brings an end to one of the Middle East’s longest-running insurgencies, with the PKK vowing to pursue its goals through political means.

Latest News

Trump may visit Turkey Thursday for Erdogan’s Russia-Ukraine talks

Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Analysis

How Turkey’s nuclear submarine bid is a game changer for its naval strategy

A ferry passes a Turkish Navy submarine navigating the Bosphorus on Sept. 27, 2024, in Istanbul, Turkey.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Turkey’s Fidan says he survived assassination abroad as head of intel

Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan arrives during Turkey's president's visit at the Villa Doria Pamphili in Rome on April 29, 2025.

Samuel Wendel

Senior Market Research Analyst

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

Amberin Zaman

Chief Correspondent

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Jack Dutton

Chief Business Correspondent

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Ezgi Akin

Associate Editor (Turkey)

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Fighters with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) inspect damaged and abandoned military vehicles and equipment at the Qamishli international airport, formerly a joint Syrian-russian military base, in northeastern Syria's city of Qamishli on Dec. 9, 2024.

Syria’s Kurds faced with all-out war as Turkey, Sunni allies target Kobani

A day after the fall of the SDF-controlled town of Manbij, Turkish proxies advanced today toward the town of Kobani.

A fighter prepares mortar ammunition as Turkish-supported forces deploy on the Buwayhij-Boughaz-Korhoyuk frontline on the outskirts of Manbij in northeastern Syria, as they fight with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Sept. 6, 2023.

Syria’s Kurds under opposition assault as Erdogan vows to protect Turkey from 'terror'

Clashes are intensifying as Turkey-backed forces push up against Kurdish fighters.

Syrians who lives in Turkey wait in a queue at Cilvegozu crossborder gate before entering in Syria at Reyhanli district in Hatay, on Dec. 9, 2024.

Turkey to reopen crossing for returning Syrians as Erdogan hails rebel victory

The Turkish president pledges support for reconstruction as the victory by opposition groups bolster efforts to re

Turkey's Foreign Affairs Minister, Hakan Fidan delivers a press conferense after his meeting with his Greek counterpart in Athens, on November 8, 2024. (Photo by Aris MESSINIS / AFP) (Photo by ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images)

With Assad gone, Turkey urges Syrian opposition to unite, warns against PKK

The top Turkish diplomat struck a composed tone following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad and called for unity among the Syrian opposition.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses media during a joint press conference with German Chancellor after their meeting at the Dolmabahce Presidential Office in Istanbul on Oct. 19, 2024.

As Turkey weighs next steps in Syria, Erdogan says target is Damascus

Rapid rebel advances in Syria have shifted negotiations between Turkey, Iran and Russia to whether the Syrian government will survive.

This combination of file photographs created on July 7, 2024, shows Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) in Ankara on May 29, 2023, and Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus on July 16, 2023.

Turkey’s Erdogan ups rhetoric, says Assad must ‘urgently engage' with rebels

Erdogan is urging the Syrian government to urgently launch a dialogue with rebels in a bid to end the civil war after insurgents captured Hama.

STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey ends probe into Meta over Threads data sharing

Turkey's Competition Board has ended its investigation on Meta after the company agreed to new data-sharing terms for Threads.

A militant poses for a picture after anti-government fighters seized Syrian army military equipment and vehicles that were abandoned on the highway to Damascus, as they reach the town of Suran north of Syria's Hama city on Dec. 3, 2024.

Turkey’s Erdogan urges Assad to engage rebels as Fidan readies for talks with Iran, Russia

Turkey's president held calls on Syria with his Russian counterpart and Iraq's prime minister, while the top Turkish diplomat is expected to meet with his Russian and Iranian counterparts for three-party talks.

Jihadists drive on the international M5 highway in the area Zarbah which was taken over by anti-government fighters on November 29, 2024, as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) jihadists and allied factions continue their offensive in Syria's northern Aleppo province against government forces.

Analysis

What's ahead for HTS as Syria, Russia strike back and Turkey plots next move?

The Syrian government claims to have repelled the HTS advance on Hama, but pro-rebel sources claim the opposite.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images

Iran’s FM meets Fidan in Turkey as rift over Syria persists: What we know

While the top Iranian and Turkish diplomats agree on the need for de-escalation in Syria, the two countries' positions remain divergent.

Fighters enter the Rashidin district on the outskirts of Aleppo on their motorbikes with smoke billowing in the background during fighting on Nov. 29, 2024, as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) jihadists and allied factions continue their offensive in the Aleppo province against government forces.

Analysis

Will HTS offensive be opening for Erdogan to offer US-Turkey reset on Syria, Russia?

The Russia-Iran alliance has been strengthened by the Ukraine war.

Andrew Parasiliti

By Andrew Parasiliti

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, national security

Anti-government fighters ride military vehicles as they drive along a road in the eastern part of Aleppo province on Dec. 1, 2024.

After capturing Aleppo, Turkey-backed militants attack Syria's Kurds

While Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has yet to comment on the events, HTS could not have made its move without Ankara’s tacit blessing.