'The Black Sea should not turn into a new conflict front'

Asena Yatağan - Speaking at the joint press conference held after the meeting, Fidan briefly said the following:

EUROPEAN SECURITY CANNOT BE CONSIDERED INDEPENDENT FROM TURKEY: We emphasize that Türkiye-EU relations should not be sacrificed to domestic political debates. We find Hungary's support to Turkey valuable. I would especially like to point out that Europe's security cannot be considered independently of Turkey's security and opportunities.

TURKISH SHIPS ARE AFFECTED BY ATTACKS: We have worked hard from the beginning to prevent the Russia-Ukraine war from spreading to the Black Sea. Our meticulous implementation of the Montreux Convention and the Black Sea Grain Initiative are examples of this approach. However, today we see that the war has spread to the Black Sea. Increasing attacks on civilian ships pose a serious threat to life, property, navigation and environmental safety. We must not allow the Black Sea to turn into a new conflict front. We convey our warnings and solution suggestions to both parties. We see that especially ships with Turkish flags, Turkish owners and Turkish personnel are also affected by these attacks. Failure of grain carried by ships to reach international markets may also pose a serious food security problem. We need to prevent this.

'Mecca is a defense agreement'

NOT THE MECCA ATTACK AGREEMENT: We held our political and military committee meeting with the participation of our interlocutors from Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Our military officials continue to work on what kind of assistance can be provided in the field of defense against attacks that may come from Yemen. We are evaluating how support can be provided, especially in air defense, electronic systems and other technical areas. Local government forces supported by Saudi Arabia continue their fight on the field. We are doing our best to resolve the incident peacefully. This is a defense agreement, not an offensive agreement. Our decision is to submit the agreement to the Parliament as soon as possible.

'Integration is getting stronger, security problems continue'

Omran Strategic Research Center published the "Syria Quarterly Evaluation Report" covering the period July-September 2026. In the report; It was stated that while the central government was strengthened with the dissolution and integration of the SDF, significant progress was made in relations with the USA and Europe and in the field of international legitimacy. On the other hand, Israel's military interventions and the economic/energy crisis were highlighted as the main external and internal problems facing the government.

In the report, the dissolution of the SDF was evaluated as the end of the most important separatist structure in Syria and the strengthening of Damascus's sovereignty throughout the country. This was interpreted as an indication that Damascus held the initiative in the integration process. The fact that former SDF leaders have now become representatives of the Syrian state instead of anti-Damascus actors was stated as an important structural transformation. According to the report, the appointment of Abdi and Ahmed to lower-profile state positions is an indication that the decision-making power of the central government has increased.

Energy Crisis

In the report, the first major internal social test faced by the new government was defined as the fuel crisis. It was stated that the increase in energy prices directly increases the cost of living of the people. It was emphasized that the removal of subsidies and neoliberal economic policies and the increase in global energy prices increased social unrest. The report commented that economic problems and education/language debates will continue to create political and social tension in the short term.

Turkey's weight will increase

In the report, the termination of the SDF and its integration into the Syrian state was evaluated as a positive development in terms of Turkey's national security and "Terror-free Türkiye/Region" goals. It was emphasized that the process could strengthen the Turkish-Kurdish-Arab brotherhood and increase the weight of Turkey's Syria vision in the region. According to the report, Israel's military activities in Syria have become an important dimension of the regional competition between Türkiye and Israel. The Abu Zuhur Air Base attack was considered a challenge for Türkiye.