International
Blinken announces U.S., Turkey alignment on vision for Syria’s future
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Friday that the United States and Turkey share a “broad agreement” on the vision for Syria’s future governance.
Speaking after discussions with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Ankara, Blinken outlined shared goals for a new, inclusive Syrian government.
During a joint press conference, Blinken emphasized that both nations support an interim Syrian government that is inclusive, non-sectarian, and protective of minority and women’s rights.
“We envision a government that preserves state institutions, delivers services to the people, and ensures the protection of minorities and women,” Blinken stated.
Blinken also stressed the importance of eliminating residual chemical weapons from the regime of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. He underscored the necessity of preventing Syria from posing a threat to its neighbors and urged the interim government to reject alliances with extremist groups.
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Both Blinken and Fidan reaffirmed their commitment to suppressing the Islamic State group.
“Our countries worked very hard over many years to ensure the elimination of the territorial caliphate,” Blinken said. “It’s imperative that we continue these efforts to prevent the resurgence of this threat.”
Fidan echoed these sentiments, underscoring the joint responsibility to maintain stability in the region.
Blinken’s visit comes in the wake of a rapid offensive led by Islamist-backed Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebels that ousted Assad’s regime, ending 54 years of Assad family rule. This significant shift in Syria’s political landscape has spurred international dialogue on the country’s future.
On Thursday, Blinken also met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. According to U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, the discussions focused on U.S.-Turkey regional cooperation and a shared commitment to a “Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition to an accountable and inclusive government.”
The secretary of state’s Middle East tour also included meetings in Jordan with King Abdullah II and Deputy Prime Minister Ayman Safadi. Following these talks in Aqaba, Blinken reiterated the importance of regional coordination to support the Syrian people as they transition away from “Assad’s brutal dictatorship.”
One pressing topic of Blinken’s trip was the case of Travis Timmerman, a 29-year-old American who resurfaced in Syria after being released from detention during the rebel takeover.
Timmerman, among thousands freed from Syria’s notorious prisons by rebels, was initially mistaken for Austin Tice, a journalist missing in Syria for 12 years. A video released Thursday showed Timmerman resting on a mattress under a blanket in a private home, where men assured he was being treated well and would be returned safely.
Blinken confirmed that U.S. officials are working to verify Timmerman’s identity and ensure his safe return.
“The White House is working to bring him home, to bring him out of Syria,” Blinken said, declining to provide further details for privacy reasons.
In an interview with Al-Arabiya, Timmerman revealed that he had illegally crossed into Syria on foot from Lebanon’s Zahle region to undertake a Christian pilgrimage. He was subsequently detained and held in solitary confinement.
“It was OK. I was fed and treated decently, though I could hear other detainees being tortured,” Timmerman said, adding that while his basic needs were met, bathroom visits were limited to three times daily.
As Blinken continues his diplomatic efforts, the focus remains on navigating Syria’s complex political transition and addressing humanitarian concerns. Both the United States and Turkey aim to foster stability in a region undergoing significant upheaval.
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