Delegation to visit Syria to address urgent needs, rebuild cities: Istanbul Mayor

Ekrem Imamoglu, Istanbul’s mayor and head of the Turkish Municipalities Union (TBB), announced plans to send a TBB delegation to Syria.

Speaking in Ankara, the mayor stated that Damascus had approved the delegation’s initial visit, which will focus on various topics, starting with addressing the needs of Syrians under temporary protection in Türkiye who wish to return voluntarily.

The initiative is being coordinated with Türkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Turkish Embassy in Damascus. Imamoglu emphasized the significance of Turkish municipalities’ support in fostering peace, prosperity and stability for what he calls the ethnically and religiously diverse Syrian population.

Supporting reconstruction

Opposition figure outlined key priorities for the TBB mission, including addressing urgent needs in Syrian cities, rebuilding economic and social infrastructure, and enhancing the capacities of local governance.

Highlighting the TBB’s mission to represent municipalities domestically and internationally, he pointed out existing “sister city” relationships between major Turkish cities and key Syrian cities like Damascus, Aleppo, Latakia, Hama and Hassakeh. He expressed a commitment to re-establish and sustain these ties, which had been disrupted by the Syrian civil war.

Syria as means of domestic politics

On the broader impact of the Syrian conflict, Imamoglu noted that the war has adversely affected Türkiye in multiple ways, including a significant refugee influx and increased security threats along its southern border. He underscored the issue of cross-border terrorism and acknowledged the financial and social burden posed by the refugee crisis, echoing concerns previously voiced by government officials.

The mayor also commended the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its support and guidance, expressing hope that the TBB delegation’s efforts would yield positive results. He stated that the planned visits to Damascus aim to establish mechanisms for cooperation, focusing particularly on improving the conditions of returning refugees, including women, children, and youth.

Imamoglu: Turkish municipalities to collaborate with Syrian counterparts

Imamoglu stressed that rebuilding Syria is not merely about reconstructing physical infrastructure but also about restoring the social fabric of its cities.

Describing Istanbul as a global leader in municipal governance, Imamoglu asserted that Turkish municipalities are well-positioned to share their expertise with Syrian counterparts. He emphasized the importance of fostering unity and coexistence among Syria’s diverse ethnic and religious groups, mentioning Kurds and Alawites, through collaborative municipal projects.

Earlier this week Imamoglu had made headlines with his remarks criticizing Türkiye’s lack of effective involvement in developments in Syria, following U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s statement claiming that “Türkiye is behind the developments in Syria.”