22.12.2025 08:35
With the signature of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Nuh Yılmaz, who has been appointed to the position of Ambassador to Damascus after 13 years, is starting his duties today. One of the most critical files ahead of Yılmaz is the integration of the SDF into Syria.
Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yılmaz, who was announced by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to become the Ambassador to Damascus in October and whose appointment was officially confirmed in November with the signature of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, is starting his duties today.
REPRESENTATION AT THE AMBASSADOR LEVEL AFTER 13 YEARS
With the end of the term of the temporary chargé d'affaires Burhan Köroğlu, Turkey will be represented at the ambassador level in Damascus for the first time in 13 years.
HE HAD ANNOUNCED THE START DATE HIMSELF
After the appointment decision, Yılmaz visited many ministers and attended the National Security Council meeting held on November 26, where he announced the date he would start his duties with the following words:
"I participated in the NSC for the last time due to the Ambassadorial duty I will take over in Damascus on December 22. Being at the NSC table is the highest point of service for those involved in our state's security bureaucracy. I would like to thank all my colleagues who have not withheld their support, especially our Minister Mr. Hakan Fidan."
SDG IS A PRIORITY ISSUE
One of the most important agenda items in the current situation between Turkey and Syria is the integration of the SDG. Additionally, issues such as the reconstruction of the country and the return of refugees are also among the priority topics in the relations between the two countries.
WHO IS NUH YILMAZ?
Nuh Yılmaz, 51 years old, completed his undergraduate, master's, and doctoral education in Sociology at METU, Graphic Design at Bilkent University, and Sociology at Yıldırım Beyazıt University, respectively. Until 2013, he worked as a journalist at 24 TV, ATV, CNN Türk, and Star newspaper.
Yılmaz joined the National Intelligence Organization in 2013 and served there with Hakan Fidan until 2023. After Fidan's appointment as Foreign Minister in June 2023, Yılmaz moved to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he held the positions of Chief Advisor to the Minister and President of the Strategic Research Center.
Since May 2024, Yılmaz has been serving as Deputy Foreign Minister, focusing his work primarily on the Middle East and Africa.