What challenges ahead of the new Turkish ambassador to Syria?
Ankara has chosen its Deputy Foreign Minister, Nuh Yilmaz, to be the first Turkish ambassador to Damascus in more than a decade, in a move that reflects Türkiye’s desire to consolidate its political and security presence in Syria, amid a complex regional landscape and international competition for influence within the country.
Yilmaz, who was described as the shadowy figure in the heart of Damascus, isn’t merely a conventional diplomat, but a seasoned security operative who held sensitive positions within the Turkish intelligence apparatus and played a pivotal role in shaping Ankara’s policy toward Syria since the outbreak of the revolution.
His appointment as ambassador transcends diplomatic protocol and sends a clear message that Türkiye seeks to manage the Syrian issue through an individual intimately familiar with its intricacies and possessing close ties with the faction leaders who have become part of the transitional authority in Damascus.
The new Turkish ambassador faces several thorny issues, including some of the most significant challenges Yilmaz will encounter in Damascus:
The SDF: Ankara is betting on Yilmaz’s role in resolving the conflict with the Syria Democratic Forces, especially since he was the architect of the relationship with the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army, which is deployed on the front lines with the SDF.
Israel: After the Israeli Air Force targeted Turkish bases in the Homs countryside, Ankara has come to realize that its expansion in Syria is facing Israeli red lines, which calls for careful diplomacy to readjust the balance.
Yilmaz recognizes that the factions once controlled by Ankara are now part of the ruling power structure and require independent regional relationships.
This reality compels Türkiye to abandon its policy of dictation and adopt a more flexible approach that takes into account the political shifts within Syria.
In addition to security issues, Yilmaz possesses extensive experience in economic affairs, having previously managed the Washington office of political and economic research and participated in NATO training programs.
This qualifies him to lead Ankara’s investment and reconstruction efforts, especially as the West begins to ease sanctions on Syria.
Yilmaz’s appointment comes after the fall of the Assad regime and Ahmed al Sharaa’s assumption of the presidency of the transitional phase, which opens the door for Ankara to establish a new strategic partnership with Damascus, away from the legacy of the previous conflict, and in a way that guarantees its interests in the issues of security, borders, and the economy.
