Wed Feb 05 02:31:32 IST 2025: ## Syria’s New Leader Secures Turkish Support in Ankara Visit

**Ankara, Turkey** – Syria’s newly appointed President, Ahmed al-Sharaa, concluded a significant visit to Turkey on Tuesday, securing a pledge of deepened security cooperation with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The meeting marks a dramatic shift in regional alliances, as Turkey, a long-time opponent of the Assad regime, now backs al-Sharaa’s government.

Al-Sharaa, who led the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group that recently overthrew Bashar al-Assad, is on a diplomatic tour to garner international support. His visit to Ankara follows a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman earlier this week.

During the Ankara talks, Erdogan expressed strong support for al-Sharaa’s government, focusing on collaborative efforts against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and Kurdish fighters in northeastern Syria. Turkey considers several Syrian Kurdish groups, including the People’s Protection Units (YPG) – a key component of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) – terrorist organizations.

Erdogan pledged Turkish assistance in combating ISIL, particularly in securing ISIL prison camps currently controlled by the SDF. He also reiterated Turkey’s willingness to help pressure Kurdish fighters, potentially leading to increased Turkish military presence in Syria beyond existing border bases. Discussions included a new defense pact that could establish additional Turkish military bases within Syria.

Al-Sharaa, in turn, called for a “strategic partnership” with Turkey, inviting Erdogan to visit Syria. He emphasized a shared goal of addressing security threats, including those posed by the SDF, and rejecting Kurdish self-rule in northeastern Syria. He also prioritized the lifting of international sanctions imposed on Syria.

The meeting signals a significant realignment in the region, as Turkey’s support for al-Sharaa’s government marks a clear departure from its previous stance during the Syrian civil war. While the details of the new defense pact remain undisclosed, the Ankara meeting strongly suggests a significant increase in Turkish influence and military presence within Syria. The two leaders also discussed economic cooperation and the potential for increased Turkish investment in Syria, as well as the eventual return of Syrian refugees currently residing in Turkey.

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