Sharaa’s first diplomatic mission: Syria's president to meet Erdoğan over PKK/YPG concerns

Syria’s newly declared President, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is set to embark on his first official overseas visits to Saudi Arabia and Türkiye. 

It has been confirmed that Sharaa will head to Türkiye following his visit to Saudi Arabia, Caliber.Az reports via Turkish media.

During his time in Türkiye, Sharaa will meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. A key issue on the agenda will be the presence of the PKK/YPG terrorist organization in Syria.

Sources indicate that preparations for the visit began after Sharaa’s appointment as president. The Syrian leader is expected to arrive in Türkiye within the next two weeks.

Moreover, Ahmed al-Sharaa has delivered his first public address, outlining his administration’s primary objectives of establishing peace and restoring the country's international reputation.

Speaking to the press, al-Sharaa emphasized the importance of forming an inclusive transitional government that reflects Syria’s diverse society.

"Our main goal is to establish a comprehensive transitional government that represents the diversity of Syria, including its women, men, and youth," he stated. "This government will be responsible for building the institutions of a new Syria until we reach the stage of free and fair elections."

He announced the formation of a preparatory committee to oversee the transition process, adding that the composition of the committee for the upcoming National Dialogue Conference would soon be revealed. "The future of Syria will be discussed at this conference," al-Sharaa explained.

He also stressed that a new constitution would be adopted once all stages of the transition were completed, serving as the foundation of the country’s legal framework. "My priorities are ensuring internal peace and restoring the dignity of our nation," he affirmed.

To recall, on January 29, Ahmed al-Sharaa, leader of the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), was declared Syria's interim president after the ousting of Bashar al-Assad on December 8, 2024. The announcement, made by the military command that led the offensive against Assad, also included the suspension of the Syrian constitution and the dissolution of the Assad-era parliament, Baath Party, and state security apparatus.

Al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, vowed to oversee a political transition, promising an inclusive government and elections within four years. His leadership marks a shift towards consolidating HTS’s influence in the country, though analysts note concerns over the lack of representation for Syria's diverse political, religious, and ethnic groups.

Qatar, a supporter of the new administration, praised the move as a step towards national unity and restructuring Syria. The declaration has been met with celebration in Damascus, despite ongoing uncertainty about the future political landscape.

By Aghakazim Guliyev