Ankara: Syria’s interim president Ahmad al-Sharaa met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday, marking his second international trip since taking office. The discussions centered on regional security, economic recovery, and the presence of Kurdish-led forces in northern Syria, which Turkey views as a threat.
Al-Sharaa urged international pressure on Israel to withdraw from the buffer zone in southern Syria, citing the 1974 agreement. “We are building a joint strategy with Turkey to address security threats and ensure Syria’s territorial unity,” he stated.
Erdogan expressed Turkey’s commitment to aiding Syria’s stability. “We are ready to support Syria in its fight against all forms of terrorism, be it Daesh or the PKK,” he said, emphasizing their shared goal of regional security.
Economic cooperation was also a focal point, with both leaders discussing trade and investment initiatives to rebuild Syria. The meeting, though low-key, underscored Turkey’s role as a key ally of Syria’s new administration.
Al-Sharaa’s visit follows his trip to Saudi Arabia and comes as Turkish-backed forces engage in clashes with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Meanwhile, SDF commander Mazloum Abdi recently met al-Sharaa in Damascus, signaling ongoing negotiations on Syria’s future.
Turkey, which once hosted 3.8 million Syrian refugees, remains deeply involved in shaping Syria’s post-war landscape.
