The United States ambassador to Turkey on Wednesday welcomed Ankara’s decision to appoint Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yılmaz as its new ambassador to Syria, almost a year after the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December.
My sincere congratulations to Ambassador @NuhYilmaz on his historic appointment as Türkiye’s first Ambassador to Syria in thirteen years. I look forward to working closely with him as he embarks on this important mission. Ambassador Yilmaz’s deep experience and strategic vision…
— Ambassador Tom Barrack (@USAMBTurkiye) November 19, 2025
Tom Barrack welcomed the move in a message on X and called the appointment “historic,” noting that Turkey has not had an ambassador in Damascus for 13 years.
He said he looks forward to working closely with Yılmaz as he begins his mission.
He wrote that Yılmaz’s background makes him suited to help shape cooperation with what he called “the emerging Syria.”
Yılmaz’s appointment was reported earlier in October, but became official after it was published in yesterday’s Official Gazette.
Turkey withdrew its ambassador in 2012 as conflict spread, with the government of Bashar al Assad facing armed revolt across the country.
Assad’s rule collapsed in late 2024 after opposition forces entered Damascus and set up an interim authority.
A transitional government backed by opposition groups now holds power and is seeking recognition and support from regional states.
Turkey reopened its embassy in Damascus after the change in power.