Turkey expands influence in post-Assad Syria

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced on Thursday that Turkey and Syria are committed to deepening bilateral relations, praising the efforts of Syria’s new authorities following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad in December.

During his third official visit to Damascus since December, Fidan met with interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa to discuss areas of mutual interest, including trade, investment, transport, and energy.

“In our discussions with Mr. Sharaa, we had the opportunity to address many important issues,” Fidan posted on X. “We are determined to strengthen cooperation between Turkey and Syria.”

Since the fall of the Assad regime, Turkey has built close ties with Syria’s new Islamist-led government, which has been actively seeking foreign investment to rebuild war-torn infrastructure.

Ankara, a key player in the downfall of Assad, has positioned itself as a regional influencer, supporting the new leadership in Damascus as part of its broader geopolitical strategy.

The meeting is seen as a significant step toward normalizing diplomatic and economic relations between the two neighbors after years of conflict and political tension.

 It also signals Turkey’s ambition to play a central role in shaping the post-war reconstruction and political future of Syria.