Synopsis
Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa is visiting Ankara on Tuesday, invited by Turkish President Erdogan. Discussions will focus on Syria's stability, economic recovery, and support mechanisms for the transitional government. This marks a significant step in renewing Türkiye-Syria relations following years of diplomatic severance.Key Takeaways
- Al-Sharaa's visit signifies a new chapter in Türkiye-Syria relations.
- Discussions will include Syria's economic recovery and stability.
- Turkey has supported a peaceful transition in Syria since 2011.
- Al-Sharaa's leadership has been pivotal since Assad's ousting.
- Saudi Arabia's support for Syria's transitional government has been acknowledged.
Ankara, Feb 3 (NationPress) Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa is set to travel to Ankara on Tuesday, following an invitation from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as stated by Turkey's Presidential Communications Director Fahrettin Altun on Monday.
During this visit, Al-Sharaa will be accompanied by other senior Syrian officials, and they are anticipated to engage in discussions with Turkish representatives about the latest developments in Syria and collaborative efforts aimed at bolstering the country’s economic recovery, sustainable stability, and security, Altun mentioned via the social media platform X.
The discussions held throughout al-Sharaa's visit are also expected to address support mechanisms for Syria's transitional government and its populace through various multilateral platforms, he added.
Altun emphasized, “We believe that the visit ... will contribute to strengthening and expanding the renewed Türkiye-Syria relations.”
Since severing diplomatic ties with Damascus in 2011, Turkey has expressed its commitment to a peaceful transition in Syria. Erdogan has vowed to assist the new Syrian administration in building state structures and drafting a new constitution.
On Sunday, al-Sharaa made his way to Saudi Arabia for his inaugural foreign visit. During this trip, he engaged in discussions with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud concerning Syria-related topics and regional matters, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency.
The two parties deliberated on strategies to enhance Syria's security and stability, along with potential cooperation across diverse sectors, and exchanged insights on ongoing regional developments, according to Xinhua news agency.
The Saudi Crown Prince extended his congratulations to al-Sharaa on his presidency of Syria and expressed his hopes for al-Sharaa's success in meeting the aspirations of the Syrian populace.
In response, al-Sharaa conveyed his appreciation to the Crown Prince for his supportive stance toward Syria and its citizens.
Al-Sharaa has been at the helm of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group since 2017 and was instrumental in the offensive that culminated in the ousting of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, paving the way for the formation of the Syrian transitional government. Since Assad's removal, he has functioned as the de facto leader of the country.
On January 29, Syria's Military Operations Administration declared al-Sharaa's appointment as President during the transitional phase, endowing him with the authority to form an interim legislative council until a permanent constitution is enacted.
