Top Turkish officials meet Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa for talks in Damascus

A trio of senior Turkish officials met with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Damascus on Thursday during a working visit aimed at official talks.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, National Defense Minister Yasar Guler, and Ibrahim Kalin, head of the Turkish National Intelligence Organization, were received by President al-Sharaa in the Syrian capital.

The visit, focused on discussions with their Syrian counterparts, included talks on bilateral relations and current developments in the region. The meeting lasted for approximately three hours.

Syrian President al-Sharaa welcomed the Turkish delegation upon their arrival.

During the discussions, the agenda reportedly covered several key topics, including the 8-point agreement between the SDF, led by the YPG/PKK terrorist group, and the Damascus administration.

Ankara has closely followed the developments surrounding this agreement. Additionally, talks centered on preparations for a new Syrian constitution and the country’s restructuring.

Tensions between security forces under the new administration and elements of the former regime, as well as the ongoing Israeli attacks, were also discussed.

After the meeting, President al-Sharaa saw the Turkish delegation off.

Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia after anti-regime forces took control of Damascus on Dec. 8, marking the end of the Baath Party’s rule that had been in place since 1963.

Ahmed al-Sharaa, who led the forces that ousted Assad, was declared president for a transitional period in late January.