Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Syria’s newly appointed President Ahmed al-Sharaa met in Ankara to discuss joint efforts against Kurdish militants in northeast Syria and broader regional security challenges, according to Reuters.
The talks on Tuesday mark a significant step in thawing relations between the two nations, which have been strained since the outbreak of Syria’s civil war in 2011.
Erdoğan emphasised Turkey’s readiness to support Syria’s new leadership in combating both Islamic State (IS) and Kurdish militant groups. He also expressed optimism that the voluntary return of Syrian refugees to their homeland would accelerate as stability improves.
We are ready to assist Syria in its fight against terrorism and to help rebuild the country.
He reiterated Turkey’s call for the lifting of international sanctions imposed on Syria during former President Bashar al-Assad’s rule, urging Arab and Muslim nations to provide financial and political support to Damascus during its transition.
Meanwhile, al-Sharaa, who assumed office following Syria’s recent political changes, described the talks as a step toward building a “strategic partnership” with Turkey. He highlighted the need for collaboration to address regional security threats and ensure long-term stability for both countries.
We are working on building a strategic partnership with Turkey to confront the security threats in the region and guarantee permanent security and stability for Syria and Turkey.
The discussions also focused on strengthening economic cooperation, with Turkish transport and manufacturing firms exploring expansion opportunities in Syria. Trade between the two countries is expected to triple as Syria rebuilds its infrastructure and economy after years of conflict.
The meeting between Erdoğan and al-Sharaa reflects a shared interest in addressing common challenges, including terrorism and regional instability, while fostering economic collaboration.
Earlier, Turkish media reported that the country could build two military bases in Syria, deploying F-16 fighter jets there.
