Acting Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, John Bass, provided insights into the ongoing U.S. efforts to stabilize Syria, following the collapse of the Assad regime, during an online press briefing held by the U.S. Department of State.

Bass, who recently concluded a visit to Ankara, discussed his talks with Turkish officials as part of the Syria Working Group, a collaborative initiative aimed at facilitating Syria’s transition.

The discussions focused on Syria’s evolving governance structures, addressing security challenges, and ensuring that Syria's neighbors, particularly Turkey, are not threatened by the instability in the region.

One of the major concerns raised during the briefing was the security risks posed by the presence of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and its Kurdish factions, notably the YPG, which have long been a point of contention for Turkey.

Bass emphasized that the U.S. remains committed to ensuring Syria does not become a safe haven for foreign terrorist organizations like Daesh.

He confirmed that the U.S. government is working with Turkey to address these security concerns, particularly in Syria's northern border regions, and to ensure that these groups do not exploit the transition period to re-establish a foothold in the country.

Bass also highlighted the U.S. position on Syrian refugees, noting that the U.S. supports Turkey’s efforts in hosting millions of displaced Syrians.

He praised Turkey’s humanitarian response while reaffirming that the U.S. is collaborating with both Turkey and other regional powers to ensure that Syria’s internal transition does not exacerbate the situation for its neighbors.

The U.S. continues to advocate for a responsible transition that empowers the Syrian national government to take control of its borders and internal security, with an eye toward creating a stable environment for the Syrian people.

Bass acknowledged the complex dynamics of this transition but underscored that the U.S. is committed to supporting this process through diplomatic and practical measures, including aiding Syria’s interim authorities in stabilizing the country’s infrastructure and economy.

The discussions also touched on the situation at al-Hol camp and detention facilities housing ISIS members, with Bass confirming that the U.S. supports efforts to reduce the population of these camps and facilitate the repatriation of foreign nationals.

He emphasized the importance of cooperating with international partners to ensure the security of Syria and its neighbors, particularly in the face of ongoing terrorist threats.

While Bass did not directly address the issue of potential U.S. troop deployments along Syria's northern border, he reaffirmed that any such actions would be carefully evaluated to avoid further destabilizing the region.

The U.S. aims to maintain a balanced approach, focused on securing Syria’s stability while addressing Turkey’s security concerns.

This briefing marks a continued effort by the U.S. to engage with Turkey and other regional players to navigate the complex landscape of post-Assad Syria.

While the transition remains fraught with challenges, including the delicate task of integrating various factions into a unified government, Bass emphasized that the U.S. will continue to work alongside its allies to ensure Syria’s path toward stability and peace.