French FM to visit Turkey for talks on Syria’s Kurdish regions
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Turkish diplomatic sources said on Tuesday that French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot is expected to pay an official visit to Ankara, where he will meet with his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, to discuss developments in Syria’s Kurdish regions.
Turkey’s state-run TRT WORLD quoted diplomatic sources as saying that Barrot’s visit will focus on the evolving situation in Kurdish areas of Syria.
“Developments in Syria will also be addressed, with Fidan expected to highlight the importance of preserving Syria’s territorial integrity and unity, as well as Türkiye’s national security concerns,” TRT WORLD reported. “He [Fidan] is expected to reaffirm Türkiye’s close monitoring of the full implementation of the Jan. 18 Ceasefire and Full Integration Agreement.”
The French Foreign Ministry has not issued any official statement confirming the planned visit.
On Jan. 6, 2026, forces of the Syrian transitional government began attacking two Kurdish neighborhoods of Aleppo city. By Jan. 17, the conflict escalated into a larger military confrontation. The Syrian transitional government forces seized control of the Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor governorates and advanced towards Kurdish areas in Hasakah governorate, northeastern Syria.
Since Jan. 6, Paris has repeatedly called for adherence to existing agreements and the maintenance of a ceasefire.