ANKARA — The interim president of Syria visited Turkey’s capital on Tuesday for discussions primarily aimed at addressing Syria’s economic development and the presence of Kurdish-led forces in the northern region, which Turkey deems a security risk.
Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was appointed to the interim presidency just last week, received a modest reception in Ankara compared to the more elaborate welcomes usually accorded to heads of state, which typically include military parades and traditional escort units.
Al-Sharaa, a former leader of the rebels who helped oust President Bashar Assad in December, is on his second trip abroad following a visit to Saudi Arabia.
He was welcomed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who met him at the entrance of the expansive presidential palace complex. Al-Sharaa, dressed in a suit complemented by a red tie—symbolizing the Turkish flag—was greeted by a small contingent of honor guards.
Throughout the 13-year civil conflict in Syria, Turkey remained a prominent supporter of factions opposing Assad and is recognized as a vital ally for the new administration. Erdogan’s office announced that discussions would delve into initiatives for Syria’s economic revival, as well as issues concerning the nation’s security and stability.
Sharing a lengthy 910-kilometer (565-mile) border with Syria, Turkey perceives the Syrian Kurdish militias, which form a significant part of the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), as an offshoot of the forbidden Kurdistan Workers’ Party. Turkey is advocating for the disbandment of this group.
Currently, fighters backed by Turkey are engaged in confrontations with the SDF to push the Kurdish factions further from their border.
In a recent interview, Mazloum Abdi, the SDF commander, mentioned he had met with al-Sharaa in Damascus and noted that both parties are in negotiations, supported by mediators, to reach agreements related to Syria’s future, including matters concerning the Kurdish population.
Since the onset of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Turkey has sheltered the largest number of Syrian refugees, peaking at over 3.8 million in 2022.
