Turkey reopens embassy in Damascus after over a decade
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The Turkish embassy in Damascus had been closed since March 26, 2012, amid escalating violence during the early stages of the war on Syria and Ankara's calls for Assad to step down.
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A Turkish motorcyclist drives on the outskirts of the border town of Kilis, Turkey, in support of Turkish troops, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018. (AP)
Turkey announced on Friday that its embassy in Damascus, Syria, will reopen on Saturday after being closed for over a decade due to the war on Syria.
Burhan Koroglu, appointed as the interim charge d'affaires, and his staff were dispatched to Syria earlier in the day, marking a significant step in Turkey's re-engagement with Syria.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan confirmed the move in an interview with NTV, stating, "The embassy will be operational tomorrow."
This comes shortly after Fidan suggested that conditions were now favorable for reopening diplomatic channels following the recent overthrow of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad in a swift offensive.
A new diplomatic chapter
The Turkish embassy in Damascus had been closed since March 26, 2012, amid escalating violence during the early stages of the war on Syria and Ankara's calls for Assad to step down.
Koroglu, who was appointed to the temporary post on Thursday, previously served as Turkey’s ambassador to Mauritania.
While Koroglu's tenure in Damascus remains undefined, his appointment signals a cautious yet noteworthy shift in Turkey’s approach to Syria.
The reopening of the embassy reflects Ankara's intent to recalibrate its foreign policy in light of recent developments in the region.
Read more: Turkiye consistently supported Syria's territorial integrity: Erdogan
