Operational Updates

Rubio and Turkish foreign minister discuss continued support for peace and stability in Syria

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Key takeaways

  • The State Department released a readout of a call between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
  • The discussion focused on continued support for peace and stability in Syria.
  • The readout is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott.
  • The statement provided no additional details on concrete actions, timelines, or new agreements.

Follow Up Questions

Who is Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and what is his role?Expand

Hakan Fidan is Turkey’s Minister of Foreign Affairs (appointed June 2023). He is a senior Turkish official and former long-time head of Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MİT, 2010–2023); his role is to direct Turkey’s foreign policy, represent Türkiye internationally, and lead the ministry on diplomatic, security, and bilateral issues.

What is the current humanitarian and security situation in Syria relevant to this call?Expand

As of early 2026 Syria remains a high humanitarian and security crisis: UN agencies estimate ~16–17 million people need assistance, millions are internally displaced or refugees, and active hostilities, localized clashes, displacement, and damaged services continue to drive urgent needs across the country.

What kinds of "support for peace and stability" do the United States and Turkey typically provide in Syria?Expand

U.S. and Turkish support for "peace and stability" in Syria typically includes diplomacy and political engagement, humanitarian aid and assistance to displaced civilians, security cooperation (counter‑terrorism, border security, limited military operations or patrols), and backing for negotiated or local ceasefires and de‑escalation efforts—often coordinated with partners and international organizations.

Who is Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott and what does "attributable to" mean for a readout?Expand

Tommy Pigott is the State Department’s Principal Deputy Spokesperson (since March 2025). In a readout, the phrase “The below is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott” means the brief statement is issued by and can be publicly credited to him as the source from the Department of State (i.e., it is an official readout attributed to that spokesperson).

Did the readout specify any concrete actions, timelines, or agreements resulting from the call?Expand

No. The readout was a short statement noting the call and shared focus on supporting peace and stability in Syria and explicitly provided no details on concrete actions, timelines, or new agreements.

Do the United States and Turkey have differing objectives in Syria that could affect cooperation?Expand

Yes. While both countries state an interest in Syrian stability, differences exist—Turkey prioritizes border security, countering Kurdish armed groups it sees as terrorists, and managing refugee flows; the U.S. emphasizes counter‑terrorism, stabilization, and humanitarian access and has different relationships with local actors. Those differing priorities can complicate coordination even where cooperation is possible.

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