In a surprising turn of diplomatic events, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan was spotted enjoying a cup of tea with Ahmed al-Shara, the newly appointed head of Syria's interim government, atop Mount Qasioun overlooking Damascus. The meeting, captured in a video released by Turkey’s Anadolu Agency on December 22, 2024, followed their discussions and a joint press conference at the Presidential Palace in the capital.

Fidan, accompanied by Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yilmaz, made the trip to the iconic mountain, which has a storied past in the Syrian conflict. Once a strategic stronghold for the Assad regime, Mount Qasioun served as a vantage point for government forces to suppress civilian protests during the uprising that began in 2011.

The significance of this gathering is multifaceted. With Mount Qasioun offering a panoramic view of the city, it symbolizes both the challenges and potential for new leadership in Syria. The area, once a military outpost, now hosts a dialogue that could reshape the nation's future.

During the press conference, Fidan called for the international community to lift sanctions on Syria, emphasizing the need for humanitarian aid and support for returning refugees. "The world must rally to help Syria rise again and allow displaced individuals to return home," he stated, urging swift action to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people.

This visit marks Fidan's second trip to Syria since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad on December 8, and follows a meeting with Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin earlier in the month. The recent political shifts in Syria could herald a new chapter in Turkish-Syrian relations, as both countries navigate the aftermath of years of conflict.