ERBIL — Iraq, Jordan, Turkey, and Syria have agreed to establish a joint alliance aimed at countering Islamic State, focusing on border security, intelligence-sharing, and coordinated military operations, according to a report by Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat.

A Turkish diplomatic source told the outlet that the four nations will hold their first meeting in Amman this month, bringing together their foreign and defense ministers, along with intelligence chiefs, to outline their strategy against the extremist group.

The report also stated that Turkey is seeking to curb US support for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which Ankara views as affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). 

Turkish intelligence chief İbrahim Kalın reportedly visited Tehran last week as part of Ankara’s broader strategy to cooperate with Iraq, Syria, and Iran in efforts to contain the PKK.

Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yilmaz confirmed Ankara’s efforts to form the alliance during an international conference on Syria in Paris, adding that Turkey is prepared to assist the Syrian government in managing IS detainee prisons.

IS gained control over large territories in Iraq and Syria in 2014, declaring a self-proclaimed caliphate. 

However, the group was largely defeated by 2017, losing key strongholds such as Mosul in Iraq and Raqqa in Syria. 

Despite its territorial collapse, IS sleeper cells remain active, launching attacks against Syrian forces and the US-backed SDF.