On his first official visit to Turkey since the fall of the Assad regime, Syria’s interim Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani met with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The discussions coincided with ongoing clashes between pro-Assad forces and the Syrian interim government in Latakia. Turkey has supported opposition forces throughout the Syrian Civil War and seeks to reinforce ties with the new Syrian administration amidst the continuing conflict.
On Wednesday, Asaad al-Shaibani, Syria’s interim Foreign Minister, engaged in discussions with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan during his inaugural official visit following the Assad regime’s downfall. The meeting, characterized by its private nature, included key officials, such as Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra and Intelligence Director Anas Hasan Khattab.
Prior to his arrival, al-Shaibani proclaimed on the social media platform X that this visit symbolizes a new representation of Syria and acknowledges Turkey’s longstanding support for the Syrian people amidst their struggle.
Turkey has played a significant role in supporting opposition forces against Bashar al-Assad since the onset of the Syrian Civil War in 2011, in addition to military interventions against Kurdish factions. Following the ousting of al-Assad, Turkey has sought to establish robust ties with Syrian interim authorities and aid their governance.
Al-Shaibani, who holds a doctoral degree from Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University, conducted diplomatic visits to several nations, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar following his appointment on December 21. He arrived in Ankara with a delegation to meet key Turkish defense and intelligence leaders.
Concurrently, clashes erupted in Latakia between pro-Assad factions and the new Syrian government, leading to the deaths of two members from Syria’s Military Security Department. A rescue operation successfully liberated kidnapped personnel, with intervention from Syrian caretaker authorities.
In related developments across Homs and Damascus, Syrian authorities intensified operations against pro-Assad loyalists, successfully seizing a warehouse filled with military explosives. The General Security Department reported discovering a cache of munitions, including mines and grenades, in Homs.
Amid these conflicts, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) successfully repelled an offensive from the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) near the strategic Tishrin Dam, resulting in significant casualties among SNA forces.
The intensified fighting in the northeast, particularly surrounding key hydroelectric power sources, has resulted in at least 280 fatalities among combatants in recent weeks as both factions vie for territorial control in the region.
The political landscape in Syria remains volatile following the United Nations-backed efforts to stabilize the interim government after the Assad regime’s collapse. Turkey’s involvement has been crucial in shaping support for opposition forces, while the recent visit by al-Shaibani reflects the ongoing relations between Syria’s new leadership and Ankara. Furthermore, the conflict’s dynamics continue to shift with ongoing clashes between Assad supporters and opposition forces, highlighting the challenges in establishing peace and security in the region.
The meeting between Asaad al-Shaibani and President Erdogan represents a significant moment in the evolving narrative of Syria post-Assad. Amid ongoing clashes and military operations, both entities appear to be navigating a complex geopolitical landscape while aiming for strategic alliances. Continued engagement from Turkey will likely influence the interim government’s recovery efforts, reinforcing its relevance in the region as the Syrian conflict endures.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
