Turkey Appoints New Ambassador to Damascus After 13-Year Hiatus
The Turkish government has appointed Nuh Yilmaz as its new ambassador to Syria. Turkey had closed its embassy in Damascus in 2012 in protest against the Assad government and the outbreak of the Syrian war.
Nuh Yilmaz is considered a multifaceted figure in Turkish foreign policy. Currently serving as Deputy Foreign Minister, he previously headed the Strategic Research Center (SAM) at the Foreign Ministry. Between 2013 and 2023, Yilmaz worked with Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT), gaining substantial experience in security and political affairs across West Asia. His fluency in English and Arabic was also a key factor in his selection for the post.
The appointment of a new ambassador marks Ankara’s strategic push to expand its influence and solidify its presence in post-conflict Syria. Yilmaz’s intelligence background suggests that his mission will go beyond diplomacy, likely involving oversight of security and field operations within Syria.
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