Erdogan, al-Sharaa hold historic Syria-Turkiye talks
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan meets with transitional Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa as both parties seek a rapprochement after years of sour ties.
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, and Syria's Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, hold a joint press conference following their meeting at the presidential palace in Ankara, Turkiye, Tuesday, February 4, 2025. (AP)
Syria has officially invited Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to visit Damascus in the near future, Syria's transitional president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, announced on Tuesday.
"We invite President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to visit Syria as soon as possible," al-Sharaa stated during a joint press conference with Erdogan in Ankara. The invitation marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to rebuild diplomatic relations between the two neighboring countries.
During their meeting, al-Sharaa emphasized the necessity of cooperation in addressing regional security challenges. "We are working together to build a joint strategy to confront security threats," he affirmed.
President Erdogan hailed al-Sharaa's "strong commitment" to fighting terrorism, acknowledging what he described as "Syria's efforts in countering extremist groups."
"I would like to express our satisfaction for the strong commitment my brother Ahmad al-Sharaa has shown in the fight against terrorism," Erdogan said at the press conference following their discussions.
Talks on Kurdish militants, migration
Erdogan also revealed that their discussions included strategies against Kurdish militants in northeast Syria.
"We have discussed steps to be taken against Kurdish militants, and Turkiye is ready to assist Syria's new leadership in combating both Islamic State and other terrorist threats," Erdogan said.
The Turkish leader expressed confidence that as Syria stabilizes, the voluntary return of Syrian migrants currently residing in Turkiye will accelerate.
Erdogan further stated that Turkiye would continue advocating for the lifting of sanctions imposed during former President Bashar al-Assad’s rule. He urged Arab and Muslim nations to provide financial and diplomatic support to Syria’s new government during its transitional period.
The meeting between Erdogan and al-Sharaa signals a potential shift in regional dynamics, as Turkiye and Syria work towards restoring ties after years of strained relations due to the Syrian conflict.
Turkiye’s military presence in Syria
Sources indicate that negotiations will include setting up two Turkish airbases in Syria’s vast Badiyah desert region. A Syrian presidential official confirmed that discussions would focus on Turkiye's training of Syria’s military and "new areas of deployment and cooperation" without specifying locations.
While the Turkish presidency and Syria’s Defense Ministry have not commented on the matter, Turkish presidential communications director Fahrettin Altun stated on Monday that Erdogan and al-Sharaa would discuss "the latest developments in Syria and possible joint measures to rebuild Syria's economy and achieve stability and security."
