The interim Syrian president Ahmad al-Sharaa (left) shakes hands with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a surprise visit to Istanbul on Saturday. (Credit: AFP)
For his first trip abroad since the United States announced it would lift sanctions on Syria, interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa made a surprise visit to Istanbul on Saturday. While the Turkish presidency did not disclose the content of the talks, Sharaa spoke for more than two hours with his host, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.Also present at the meeting were the Syrian ministers of foreign affairs and defense, their Turkish counterparts and the head of Turkish intelligence, according to the Anadolu Agency.Military, air and naval basesLess than two weeks after President Donald Trump’s unexpected reversal on the new regime in Damascus, Sharaa’s visit signals Ankara’s intent to seize the momentum. While Trump acknowledged Turkey’s efforts, Erdogan boasted of playing a key role in what he called a historic decision after he joined the May...
For his first trip abroad since the United States announced it would lift sanctions on Syria, interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa made a surprise visit to Istanbul on Saturday. While the Turkish presidency did not disclose the content of the talks, Sharaa spoke for more than two hours with his host, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.Also present at the meeting were the Syrian ministers of foreign affairs and defense, their Turkish counterparts and the head of Turkish intelligence, according to the Anadolu Agency.Military, air and naval basesLess than two weeks after President Donald Trump’s unexpected reversal on the new regime in Damascus, Sharaa’s visit signals Ankara’s intent to seize the momentum. While Trump acknowledged Turkey’s efforts, Erdogan boasted of playing a key role in what he called a historic decision after he joined...