https://arab.news/bt9d2
A year ago, when the Assad regime collapsed, many immediately declared that “Turkiye is the greatest winner in Syria,” given Ankara’s close ties with the new leadership in Damascus. Even US President Donald Trump implied the same thing.
However, over the past year, Turkiye has demonstrated that it is not after a dominant role in Syria, but rather a balanced partnership with the Ahmad Al-Sharaa leadership that could boost its legitimacy both at home and abroad. In the end, Ankara finally found a friend in Damascus whose success is strategically important for Turkiye.
Since Al-Sharaa assumed power, Turkiye has been sending the right signals, both regionally and internationally. Ankara’s rhetoric and actions demonstrate a clear consistency. In relations with both regional and international stakeholders, it has carefully avoided creating the perception of a zero-sum game in Syria, while trying to serve as a bridge between the new Syrian leadership and other actors. Turkiye’s approach has also provided the new leadership with enough political room to engage constructively with other actors.
Turkiye’s direct engagement with Syria following Bashar Assad’s fall was not surprising. It was the natural outcome of a process built on deep human, political, military and intelligence ties. Ankara sees that Assad’s fall did not solve all of Syria’s problems, but the country will no longer face the same challenges it once did. So, the new era has brought its own difficulties, yet it has also created space for renewed hope. Today, Syria presents Ankara with an opportunity to shape a more favorable regional order — one that is aligned with Turkiye’s long-term interests.
