Turkish, Syrian leaders forge partnership on military co-op, border control, economic revival

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa have discussed critical issues affecting the region, reaching significant agreements aimed at fostering strategic cooperation across multiple sectors.

At a high-level meeting in Ankara, the leaders emphasized that there is no place for terrorism in Syria, reaffirming their commitment to regional stability and security, according to the Turkish newspaper Türkiye, Caliber.Az reports, citing Turkish media.

The leaders agreed to prepare a comprehensive report detailing the destruction and reconstruction needs of each Syrian province, laying the groundwork for coordinated rebuilding efforts. Strategic partnerships will extend to key sectors such as maritime transportation, port reconstruction and operations, and the management of the continental shelf.

Türkiye will also play a central role in training both military and civilian personnel, with plans to establish Turkish military bases in areas currently under PKK occupation, as well as in Homs and along the Mediterranean axis from Latakia to Tartus.

Telecommunications infrastructure will also benefit from Turkish involvement, with companies and government institutions set to support mobile network development. In a major development, the railway linking Türkiye to Damascus will be restored, enhancing connectivity along the Aleppo-Damascus-Homs-Latakia corridor, while a new electrical grid will extend to key Syrian cities, including Damascus.

The two sides also agreed to activate a maritime port corridor connecting Hatay, Mersin, Latakia, and Tartus, which will operate under a special status. Additionally, an operation against ISIS could commence in the near future, as Syria’s airspace will be officially opened to Turkish military aircraft and drones to support this effort.

Other agreements include the relocation and reopening of border crossings currently controlled by the PKK along the Turkish-Syrian border, as well as the management of vital dams and oil and gas fields. This landmark meeting marks a new chapter in Turkish-Syrian relations, signalling a coordinated approach to regional challenges and reconstruction efforts.

By Khagan Isayev