Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrived in Ankara on Tuesday for talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, focusing on Syria’s economic recovery and security challenges, particularly the Kurdish-led forces in northern Syria, which Türkiye considers a national security threat.  

This marks Sharaa’s second international visit since assuming office last week, following his trip to Saudi Arabia. Erdogan welcomed him at the presidential palace in Ankara, where Sharaa, notably wearing a red tie—matching the Turkish flag—was greeted by an honor guard.  

Türkiye, a key ally of Syria’s new administration, previously backed opposition forces against ousted President Bashar al-Assad during the country’s 13-year civil war. According to Erdogan’s office, discussions centered on economic reconstruction and stabilizing Syria.  

Türkiye has hosted the largest number of Syrian refugees since the civil war began in 2011, with numbers peaking at over 3.8 million in 2022.  

Additionally, sources familiar with the talks told Reuters that Sharaa and Erdogan discussed a potential joint defense pact, which could involve Türkiye establishing airbases in central Syria, gaining military access to Syrian airspace, and leading training efforts for Syria’s new army.  

Four sources—a Syrian security official, two Damascus-based foreign security sources, and a senior regional intelligence official—revealed these details on condition of anonymity, as they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.  

This marks the first time strategic defense cooperation between Syria’s new leadership and Türkiye has surfaced. Under the proposed agreement, Türkiye could expand its military presence in Syria and play a leading role in shaping its defense forces. However, the deal is not expected to be finalized immediately.  

Syria’s new leadership has already dissolved the previous army and various opposition factions, working toward forming a unified military command.