Meanwhile, Syrian children born in Türkiye, many of whom have never seen their homeland, are traveling to Syria for the first time. This comes as Syrians who sought refuge in Türkiye during the 13-year conflict continue returning home, particularly in the wake of the collapse of the al-Assad government.

On the other hand, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Ankara on Friday, marking the second leg of his regional tour after visiting Aqaba, Jordan. Blinken’s visit focuses on strengthening US-Türkiye cooperation on shared priorities, including counterterrorism and regional stability, according to the State Department.

In a surprise move, Blinken met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan immediately upon arrival, with discussions taking place in the VIP lounge at Ankara’s Esenboğa Airport.

The visit coincides with escalating clashes in Syria between the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA). Blinken reiterated the US stance, describing support for the Kurdish-led SDF as “critical” during these volatile times.

White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan addressed the ongoing clashes earlier, stating that the US remains “very deeply” engaged in discussions with both Türkiye and the SDF to de-escalate tensions.

“The conversations are serious, intense, and ongoing,” Sullivan noted, but he refrained from defining any “red lines” regarding the conflict.

The developments reflect the intricate dynamics shaping the region, with Türkiye, the US, and local Syrian factions vying to assert influence while addressing broader geopolitical and humanitarian challenges. (ILKHA)