ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Syria’s foreign ministry on Tuesday denied a Turkish claim that there are ongoing meetings between their countries on security issues, including the fight against terrorism. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in a televised interview said Ankara is not engaged politically with Damascus, but when it comes to security issues and the fight against terrorism, “there are always meetings and this is normal.” He added that “when it comes to the territorial integrity of the country and the PKK, at least for now, our opinion matches with that of the regime,” referring to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), an armed group fighting for greater rights for Kurds in Turkey. Syria’s foreign ministry denied meeting with Turkey, saying Ankara is the main supporter of terrorism and poses a threat to the stability of Syria. Damascus “categorically denies the existence of any kind of communication or negotiations with the Turkish regime, especially in the field of combating terrorism,” a ministry source told Syrian state media SANA. Ankara-Damascus relations have been thorny since the Syrian regime responded with violence to nationwide protests in 2011. Turkey supports Syrian rebel forces in the northwest of the country, groups Damascus has labeled terrorists. Cavusolgu’s comments were in response to a question about reports the head of Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Hakan Fidan and his Syrian counterpart Ali Mamlouk will meet in Baghdad. The minister did not directly confirm the meeting. Turkey has also carried out at least two military campaigns against Kurdish forces in Syria since 2016, claiming that they are affiliated with the PKK.
