Turkish media sources have revealed that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is preparing to visit Syria in the coming days. According to the state-run Turkey newspaper, citing Syrian sources, Erdogan may undertake a “historic” visit to Damascus within the next two weeks. The proposed itinerary could include performing prayers at the Umayyad Mosque and meeting with Abu Mohammad al-Julani, the leader of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham. The report also noted that a joint team from Turkey’s General Directorate of State Airports and Turkish Airlines recently visited Damascus to assess flight safety at Damascus and Aleppo International Airports.
Turkey has been a key player in the Syrian conflict, backing militant groups in Idlib province, which borders Turkey. Official Turkish rhetoric has historically denounced President Bashar al-Assad. However, since 2022, Ankara has sought reconciliation with Damascus. In July, Erdogan stated his willingness to meet Assad, but negotiations stalled due to Assad’s demand for a Turkish troop withdrawal from Syrian territory. Turkey’s support for Syrian opposition forces has aimed to establish a “safe zone” for Syrian refugees and to prevent the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) from consolidating control over any territory. Turkish statements also hint at possible military intervention in Syria if the balance of power shifts in favor of Kurdish militant groups opposing Erdogan’s government.
At the start of the conflict, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan blamed Assad, calling for reconciliation with the Syrian people and dialogue with the opposition backed by Ankara. In a press conference earlier this month with Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, Fidan reiterated Turkey’s support for Syria’s territorial integrity but emphasized that Ankara would not hesitate to act against Kurdish militant groups deemed terrorist organizations by Turkey if they exploited the instability in the region.
As Assad’s government neared collapse, Erdogan remarked, “The Damascus regime did not value the hand extended by Ankara or understand its significance,” hinting at a shift in Syria’s political and diplomatic reality. Speaking at a Justice and Development Party (AKP) conference in Gaziantep last Saturday, Erdogan warned Assad’s government, saying, “You will reap what you sow with this policy of killing and pay the price.” Erdogan also highlighted Turkey’s repeated warnings about the gravity of the situation.
The White House has acknowledged Turkey’s current interests in Syria, underscoring its influential role in the region’s ongoing developments. Turkey’s ambitions align with its efforts to neutralize Kurdish forces in areas under their control. Simultaneously, Ankara benefits from its alliance with Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, which governs parts of Syria. Erdogan appears to be aiming for control over northern Syrian territories to protect Turkey from the Kurdish-led SDF and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), both of which Turkey designates as terrorist organizations.
