IRIA News

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed Syria’s 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.

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

At a joint press conference following the meeting, Erdogan reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to working with Syria’s new leadership in counterterrorism efforts, particularly against ISIL and Kurdish militant groups.

“I would like to express our satisfaction for the strong commitment my brother Ahmed al-Sharaa has shown in the fight against terrorism,” Erdogan stated. “I 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.”

Turkey has long considered Kurdish groups such as the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and the People’s 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’s 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.

For his part, al-Sharaa echoed Erdogan’s concerns, signaling that his administration will not tolerate any form of Kurdish self-rule in Syria. “We 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,” he said.

Defense pact and Turkish military in Syria

One of the key topics of discussion between Erdogan and Sharaa was a new defense agreement that could expand Turkey’s 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.

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.

Diplomatic and economic support to rebuild Syria

Beyond military and security matters, the two leaders also discussed economic cooperation and Syria’s desperate need for post-war reconstruction. Erdogan pledged to push for the removal of international sanctions imposed on Syria during Assad’s 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.

Erdogan stressed the importance of supporting Syria’s recovery efforts. “Arab and Muslim countries must provide financial and logistical assistance to Syria during this period of transition,” he said.

The potential lifting of sanctions would open doors for Turkish businesses eager to invest in Syria’s reconstruction. Turkish transport and manufacturing firms have already begun eyeing expansion opportunities in Syria, with trade between the two countries expected to increase in the coming months.

Syrian refugees in Turkey

A major point of discussion between the two leaders was the fate of Syrian refugees in Turkey. Since the start of the Syrian civil war, Turkey has hosted the world’s largest population of refugees, largely made up of Syrian refugees, with numbers peaking at over 3.8 million in 2022. Erdogan has faced growing domestic pressure to address the refugee issue, particularly as Turkey’s economy struggles with inflation and unemployment.

With al-Sharaa’s rise to power and the prospect of greater stability in Syria, Erdogan suggested that the voluntary return of Syrian refugees could accelerate. “As Syria becomes more stable, we believe the return of our Syrian brothers and sisters will happen naturally,” he said.

Al-Sharaa, in turn, assured that his government would facilitate the safe return of displaced Syrians, though concerns remain over whether former opposition supporters would face reprisals in Syria.

Future of Turkey-Syria relations

The Ankara meeting signals a dramatic shift in relations between Turkey and Syria. Since 2011, Turkey has been one of Assad’s fiercest critics. However, with Assad gone and a new leadership in place, Ankara appears to be recalibrating its approach.

Analysts say the renewed cooperation between Turkey and Syria could reshape the dynamics of the region, particularly in how the Kurdish issue is handled. With both nations now aligned in their opposition to the SDF and Kurdish self-rule, U.S. policy in Syria may face new challenges.

While the meeting in Ankara marked a significant diplomatic breakthrough, the road ahead remains uncertain. Key questions linger over how the U.S. and other Western allies will respond to the shifting alliances, whether Syrian opposition forces will fully support al-Sharaa’s rule, and how effectively Turkey and Syria can implement their newfound security cooperation.

For now, the Erdogan-Sharaa meeting has set the stage for what could be a new era of engagement between Ankara and Damascus, one driven by security imperatives, economic interests, and the changing political landscape of the Middle East.