Turkey, Syria to Launch Joint Mechanism to Combat Disinformation

Turkey and Syria have established a new round-the-clock communication mechanism to combat disinformation and strengthen diplomatic ties, according to Turkish officials who visited Damascus this week.

The initiative, announced Thursday by Presidential Communications Deputy Director Ferhat Pirinççi, marks a significant development in relations between the neighboring countries as they seek to align their approaches to media management and public diplomacy.

A high-level Turkish delegation, led by Ambassador to Damascus Nuh Yılmaz and senior officials from Turkey’s Directorate of Communications, met with Syrian Information Minister Hamza Mustafa in Damascus to formalize the arrangement.

During the talks, Ambassador Yılmaz highlighted Syria’s vulnerability to disinformation campaigns following years of internal conflict. He specifically mentioned misinformation related to Syria’s efforts against the PKK terrorist organization and recent developments in the coastal region and Sweida province.

“Syria has been exposed to intense disinformation campaigns, particularly during its fight against terrorism,” Yılmaz said, drawing parallels with Turkey’s own experiences. “Turkey has faced similar challenges for many years and has developed significant experience and capacity in this field.”

The new coordination mechanism represents an important step in normalizing relations between Ankara and Damascus after years of strained ties following the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011. The countries, which share a 911-kilometer border, have both struggled with security challenges, refugee crises, and territorial disputes.

According to Pirinççi, the agreement will enable “regular communication, mutual exchange of experience and closer cooperation” across several domains including combating disinformation, media perception management, public diplomacy and crisis communication.

The initiative comes at a time when both nations face similar media challenges. Turkey has implemented its own comprehensive approach to managing disinformation in recent years, including the establishment of a directorate specifically tasked with countering false information campaigns that target the country.

Regional experts note that this cooperation signals potential warming in bilateral relations that could extend beyond communication strategies. The two countries have been on opposite sides of the Syrian conflict, with Turkey supporting opposition groups while Syria maintained close ties with Russia and Iran.

The partnership on disinformation specifically addresses challenges both countries face regarding media coverage of sensitive border issues, terrorist activities, and regional disputes. Both governments have frequently claimed that international media misrepresents their security operations and political positions.

The new mechanism may also help coordinate messaging on refugee issues, as Turkey hosts approximately 3.6 million Syrian refugees while encouraging voluntary returns to Syria. How the humanitarian situation is portrayed in media has significant implications for both countries’ policies and international standing.

Practical aspects of the cooperation are expected to include joint training programs, institutional capacity building, and regular consultation between media officials from both sides. These efforts aim to create more robust systems for identifying and responding to disinformation campaigns targeting either country.

Media freedom advocates in the region will likely monitor how this partnership develops, particularly regarding how “disinformation” is defined and addressed by the two governments, both of which have faced criticism from international organizations for their media policies.

The establishment of this communication mechanism represents one of the most concrete steps toward normalized relations between Turkey and Syria in recent years, potentially opening doors for further cooperation on security, trade, and diplomatic issues that have remained unresolved throughout the Syrian conflict.