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Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria’s President and former leader of the terrorist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan this week, expressing his desire for comprehensive cooperation between the two nations.
Following HTS’s triumph in Syria’s civil war and the subsequent flight of Bashar Assad to Russia in December 2024, Sharaa, previously known as “Abu Mohammed al-Jolani,” has worked to ease international concerns about his jihadist organization’s rise to power. Despite protests from Christian communities fearing an Islamist regime, Sharaa maintains his government will balance Islamic principles with inclusivity.
In #Damascus, MFEA @tfajon met with Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani @SyrianMFA: "Visiting #Syria at this crucial moment is a mark of 🇸🇮's solidarity with the Syrian people who deserve a better future after 14 years of hell." 1/2 pic.twitter.com/7K9QM3g0iW
— MFEA Slovenia (@MZEZ_RS) February 6, 2025
After his January appointment as president and the dismantling of Syria’s constitution, Sharaa embarked on a regional diplomatic tour, beginning with Saudi Arabia before meeting Erdogan in Turkey. Their discussions focused on reconstruction efforts and bilateral cooperation.
Turkey’s historical support for Syrian rebels, including military interventions, aligns with Erdogan’s 2016 declaration: “We are in there to end the rule of the tyrant Assad … and not for any other reason.”
According to SANA, Sharaa expressed gratitude for Erdogan’s “hospitality and warm welcome” and his “honorable stance” against Assad, stating, “We look forward to enhancing coordination between the two countries at all political, economic and security levels in a way that serves common interests and bolsters cooperation in facing challenges in the coming stage.”
Erdogan, through Anadolu Agency, pledged “lasting friendship and cooperation,” declaring, “Being of historic importance, I see this visit today as the start of a new era of eternal friendship and cooperation. All of our institutions have been working tirelessly to rebuild our relationship to a strategic level. We have no doubt that our Syrian sisters and brothers, who inspire the region with their resilience, will rebuild their country.”
In his first interview as Syria’s new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa lays out his vision for rebuilding Syria to our editor-in-chief, @zannymb https://t.co/8mx3vAX68N pic.twitter.com/ekeHdzq5TK
— The Economist (@TheEconomist) February 4, 2025
Turkey’s commitment includes humanitarian assistance and infrastructure reconstruction in Syria’s devastated cities. Erdogan affirmed, “Besides humanitarian aid to Syria’s devastated landscape, we are also ready to support the rebuilding of critical infrastructure. As Syria’s economic recovery gains momentum, so will the voluntary returns gain traction.”
With Turkey hosting three million Syrian refugees, the country eagerly supports their repatriation. However, international sanctions complicate Syria’s reconstruction, given HTS’s terrorist organization designation and Syria’s presence on the U.S. State Sponsors of Terrorism list.
Turkey’s own ties to Hamas, which Erdogan refuses to label as terrorist, add complexity to the diplomatic relationship. The meeting concluded with Sharaa extending an invitation for Erdogan to visit Syria soon.
