{
  "id": 220989,
  "title": "Turkey and Syria pledge closer defence and counter-terrorism ties",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/06/turkey-and-syria-pledge-closer-defence-and-counter-terrorism-ties",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-06T11:26:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2026/08/06/turkey-and-syria-pledge-closer-defence-and-counter-terrorism-ties/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Thursday, Turkey and Syria announced plans to bolster their defense and counter-terrorism efforts to \"free Syria\" during a visit by Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani to Ankara. The Turkish Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, met with his Syrian counterpart to discuss joint actions against weapons outside state control and terrorism. Both countries agreed to safeguard their shared borders and combat terrorism, with Fidan emphasizing that any threat to Syria is a threat to Turkey.\n\nMinister Al Shibani stated that Syria is working towards freeing the country from terrorism. Despite the militant background of President Ahmad Al Shara and the wider leadership, Syria has assured world powers of its commitment to preventing extremist groups like ISIS from taking root. The new Syrian government has also condemned Israeli attacks on Syrian territory since the collapse of Bashar Al Assad's rule in late 2024. Turkey, too, has condemned these Israeli actions, viewing them as a violation of international law and a threat to Syria's security.\n\nAl Shibani further condemned these Israeli attacks, asserting that Israel is undermining Syria's stability and obstructing peace efforts. Fidan highlighted the improved stability in Syria and the ongoing efforts to develop relations between the two nations on various levels.",
  "summary": "Turkey and Syria on Thursday said they will work together to strengthen their defence and counter-terrorism sectors to help “free Syria”. It came during a visit to Ankara by Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani , who met his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan. “We are working to resolve the issue of weapons outside of the state control and to combat terrorism,” Mr Al Shibani said during a press…",
  "key_points": [
    "Turkey and Syria pledge closer defense and counter-terrorism ties.",
    "Syrian Foreign Minister visits Ankara to discuss joint actions.",
    "Both countries agree to safeguard shared borders and combat terrorism."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}