Syria-Turkey Relations: A New Phase Marked by High-Level Diplomacy

Syrian Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa recently completed a high-profile official visit to Turkey, engaging in significant talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other senior Turkish officials. This marks the second international visit by al-Sharaa, following his recent trip to Saudi Arabia, and it is the first time since 2009 that a Syrian leader has met with Turkish officials at this level.

The visit attracted considerable attention, with Turkish streets displaying images of al-Sharaa, Syrian flags, and welcoming banners in Arabic. One notable moment was when al-Sharaa’s wife, Latifa al-Droubi, was seen alongside Turkey’s first lady, Emine Erdogan.

The central focus of the talks between al-Sharaa and Erdogan was on security and military cooperation. This included discussions about the establishment of Turkish military bases in central Syria, strategies to combat ISIS, and the creation of a new Syrian army. The leaders also addressed the situation of nearly three million Syrian refugees in Turkey.

One important point raised by al-Sharaa during a press conference in Ankara was the need for a "strategic partnership" between Syria and Turkey to combat security threats and ensure regional stability. Additionally, he invited President Erdogan to visit Damascus in the near future.

Al-Sharaa also highlighted the importance of economic cooperation, noting that Turkish companies in sectors such as transportation and manufacturing were eager to expand operations in Syria. He further urged Erdogan to apply international pressure on Israel to withdraw from the buffer zone in southern Syria and enforce the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.

President Erdogan reaffirmed Turkey's support for Syria in its fight against terrorism, particularly against ISIS and Kurdish militants. He also emphasized the importance of lifting international sanctions imposed on Syria, as well as strengthening bilateral relations in trade, energy, healthcare, and education.

This visit represents a potential turning point in Syrian-Turkish relations, which had been severed since 2011 due to Turkey's support for opposition forces during the Syrian revolution. With al-Sharaa leading Syria’s transitional government, this diplomatic engagement could signal the start of a new chapter in relations between the two countries.