On Monday, May 12, the Turkish hosted a high-level tripartite meeting in Ankara involving the foreign ministers of Turkey, Syria, and Jordan, a move seen as a new effort to recalibrate regional power dynamics and bloster joint responses to shared political and security challenges, according to official sources at the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Turkish diplomatic sources confirmed that Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan chaired the discussions, which brought together Asaad al-Shaibani, representing Syria’s transitional government, and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman al-Safadi. The agenda focused on the latest regional developments, security coordination, and prospects for political cooperation.
During the meeting, Fidan reiterated “Turkey’s continued support for the Syrian transition government in its efforts to enhance security and stability,” and emphasised Ankara’s “firm stance against the presence of terrorist organisations in the region’s future.”
The minister also issued a joint call to halt what was described as “Israeli aggressive policies toward Syria and neighbouring countries,” underscoring the necessity of regional cooperation in addressing cross-border threats.
In addition to the main discussions, Fidan held separate bilateral talks with both al-Shaibani and al-Safadi. These sideline meetings addressed issues of mutual concern, including border security, the refugee crisis, and economic coordination.
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Regional Security Takes Centre Stage
Commenting on the meeting, Turkish political analyst Javad Gok told +963 that the tripartite talks mark a significant step toward regional consensus on key issues, particularly combating ISIS, countering the influence of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and reinforcing support for Syria’s transitional authority.
“Turkey places high priority on its national security and resolving the refugee crisis,” Gok said, adding that Ankara is seeking “comprehensive cooperation with Damascus and Amman to prevent a relapse into instability.”
He further noted the interest of Gulf states in the evolving Syrian dossier, suggesting they could play a pivotal role in reconstruction efforts and the safe repatriation of refugees. “There are rising expectations for Turkey to provide tangible military and political backing, beyond verbal commitments,” he added.
Breaking the Diplomatic Stalemate
International peacekeeping expert Dr. Ayman Salama described the meeting as “an attempt to break the international stalemate surrounding the Syrian file,” amid what he called a diminished role of UN-led frameworks.
Speaking to +963, Salama argued that the regional initiative reflects a desire among these countries to “take the lead in managing the security and political fallout” in the absence of effective global action.
“There is a shared interest in achieving a basic level of stability and combating terrorism, even if that means setting aside certain political disagreements,” he said, noting that the talks could signal “a realignment that transcends traditional alliances.”
Salama also addressed the joint criticism of Israeli policies, calling it “symbolically important,” but said such statements would carry limited weight unless backed by “serious U.S. efforts to rein in Israeli destabilisation in Syria.”
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Toward Broader Regional Coordination
The Ankara meeting follows the recent announcement of a five-member regional coordination mechanism, comprising Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanon, aimed at confronting terrorism and countering Israel’s destabilising role, as described by Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yilmaz on April 12.
“This mechanism is not intended to replace the regional order,” Yilmaz said, “but serves as a practical step to coordinate efforts and support Syria in rebuilding its capacities.” He added that the coordination centre would be based inside Syrian territory, and would respond to requests according to Syria’s stated needs.
Earlier, on March 9, the Jordanian capital, Amman, hosted a five-party summit involving foreign and defence ministers, chiefs of staff, and intelligence directors from the same countries. That meeting addressed shared concerns, including terrorism, arms and drug trafficking, and strategies for fostering Syrian stability and enabling the return of refugees.
The latest Ankara talks form part of broader regional efforts to reframe engagement with the Syrian crisis, developments closely watched by the international community. While the outcomes remain uncertain, the visible momentum toward mutual support and security collaboration may signal a meaningful shift in the region’s political and security dynamics.
