Ankara, Turkey – Turkish authorities have removed the name of Sipan Hamo, the Syrian Deputy Defense Minister for the Eastern Region, from their list of wanted terrorists. This notable move coincides with the ongoing political and military developments in Syria. Sipan Hamo, also known as Samir Oso, was a prominent commander in the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) before assuming the position of Syrian Deputy Defense Minister for the Eastern Region.
The Turkish decision comes at a time when the Syrian arena is witnessing moves to restructure military and security institutions. There are also efforts underway to integrate armed groups into state institutions and the Syrian army. Turkish authorities have not officially clarified the direct reasons behind removing Hamou’s name from the list. However, the move coincides with rapidly evolving relations between Ankara and Damascus, particularly concerning security matters in northern and eastern Syria.
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) file is one of the most sensitive issues for Turkey, which views some of its components as linked to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). Meanwhile, Damascus is seeking to reorganize the military landscape and integrate the various formations into state institutions. The decision to remove Hamou’s name from the wanted list is particularly significant due to his current position within the Syrian Ministry of Defense. This could reflect a shift in Ankara’s approach to certain figures who were previously on wanted lists but are now part of the Syrian state apparatus.
The decision comes amid regional and international efforts to support Syria’s stability and rebuild its institutions. Simultaneously, there are attempts to reduce security tensions and open new channels of cooperation between Damascus and countries in the region. Observers are monitoring the impact of this move on the future of relations between Turkey and the Syrian government, as well as on negotiations concerning security and military arrangements in the north and east of the country. The removal of Hamou’s name from the Turkish list may represent a further indication of the shifts occurring in the Syrian situation. This is particularly evident given the transition of several figures and forces that were previously active outside state institutions to official positions within the new Syrian state structure.
