US and Turkey Collaborate to Counter ISIS Resurgence in Syria Amid Post-Assad Uncertainty

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met in Ankara on Friday to discuss the ongoing threat of Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad. Both officials stressed the need for continued efforts to prevent ISIS from re-establishing its territorial caliphate in the region. Blinken emphasized the hard work both nations have put into combating ISIS over the years and the importance of staying vigilant in the fight against the terrorist group.

The talks also addressed the broader issue of stability in Syria, particularly the ongoing clashes in the northern part of the country. These battles involve US-backed Kurdish forces and Turkish-backed rebel groups, creating a complex and volatile situation. Fidan underscored that Turkey's primary goal in Syria is to ensure stability and prevent terrorism, highlighting concerns about both ISIS and the PKK, the Kurdish militant group.

The two nations have historically supported opposing factions in the Syrian civil war, with the US backing the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Turkey opposing the Kurdish-led group, which it sees as an extension of the PKK. Recent developments, including Turkish-backed forces seizing the northern city of Manbij from the SDF, have led to new agreements between the US and Turkey, although no specifics have been revealed about the future relationship between the Syrian forces involved.

The collapse of Assad's regime has created both uncertainty and opportunity, with many questions remaining about Syria's future political landscape and the roles that various factions, including the Kurds, will play.