{"id":27319,"date":"2025-02-06T00:02:00","date_gmt":"2025-02-05T22:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/?p=27319"},"modified":"2025-02-07T08:25:49","modified_gmt":"2025-02-07T06:25:49","slug":"syrias-interim-president-visits-turkey-to-discuss-defense-economy-and-return-of-syrian-refugees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/syrias-interim-president-visits-turkey-to-discuss-defense-economy-and-return-of-syrian-refugees\/","title":{"rendered":"Syria\u2019s interim president visits Turkey to discuss defense, economy and return of Syrian refugees"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

5 minute read<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed Syria\u2019s newly appointed interim President Ahmed-al Sharaa to Ankara on February 4, 2025. The landmark meeting underscored a potential thaw in relations between Turkey and Syria, two nations that had been at odds since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The visit marks al-Sharaa\u2019s second international trip since he assumed power following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad\u2019s government in December. Earlier this week, Syrian leader Sharaa met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh, signaling Syria\u2019s renewed efforts to build regional alliances and secure international support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At a joint press conference following the meeting, Erdogan reaffirmed Turkey\u2019s commitment to working with Syria\u2019s new leadership in counterterrorism efforts, particularly against ISIL and Kurdish militant groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI would like to express our satisfaction for the strong commitment my brother Ahmed al-Sharaa has shown in the fight against terrorism,\u201d Erdogan stated. \u201cI told al-Sharaa we are ready to provide the necessary support to Syria in the fight against all kinds of terrorism, whether it be Daesh or the PKK.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Turkey has long considered Kurdish groups such as the Kurdistan Workers\u2019 Party (PKK) and the People\u2019s Protection Units (YPG) as threats to its national security. The YPG, which forms a significant portion of the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), controls much of Syria\u2019s northeast and has played a pivotal role in the fight against ISIL. However, Ankara views the YPG as an extension of the PKK, which has been designated a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the European Union.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Syria's<\/a>
Syria’s de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, Turkiye, on February 4, 2025. (Image Credit: X\/@RTErdogan)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

For his part, al-Sharaa echoed Erdogan\u2019s concerns, signaling that his administration will not tolerate any form of Kurdish self-rule in Syria. \u201cWe are working on building a strategic partnership with Turkey to confront the security threats in the region to guarantee permanent security and stability to Syria and Turkey,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Defense pact and Turkish military in Syria<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the key topics of discussion between Erdogan and Sharaa was a new defense agreement that could expand Turkey\u2019s military footprint in Syria. Reports and analysts indicate that Turkey, which already has military outposts along the Syrian border, may establish additional bases deeper inside Syrian territory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An expanded Turkish military presence in Syria would likely lead to heightened tensions with the U.S., which has relied on the Kurdish-led SDF to combat ISIL. Washington has yet to comment on the latest developments, but previous Turkish incursions into northern Syria have sparked concerns among U.S. officials over the stability of the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Diplomatic and economic support to rebuild Syria<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond military and security matters, the two leaders also discussed economic cooperation and Syria\u2019s desperate need for post-war reconstruction. Erdogan pledged to push for the removal of international sanctions imposed on Syria during Assad\u2019s rule. Sanction relief has been a top priority for al-Sharaa, who has been aggressively courting Arab and Muslim nations for economic and diplomatic backing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan receives Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa at the Presidential Complex in the T\u00fcrkiye’s capital Ankara https:\/\/t.co\/vxxXXxExrE<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/dP8e2bmaSf<\/a><\/p>\u2014 Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) February 4, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>