Türkiye vows support for rebuilding Syrian state institutions, urges lifting all sanctions Meeting with al-Sharaa / VIDEO

Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has announced Türkiye’s readiness to provide necessary assistance in rebuilding Syria’s state institutions.

Fidan made this statement on December 22 during his visit to Damascus in a meeting with Ahmed al-Sharaa (known by his alias Abu Muhammad al-Julani), the leader of the opposition forces that have assumed power in Syria, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Fidan also emphasised the urgency of lifting all sanctions previously imposed on Syria in order to facilitate the country’s recovery.

He reiterated that the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and other terrorist organizations in Syria must be disarmed to ensure stability.

“Today, the international community, especially the countries in the region, must mobilise to help Syria get back on its feet and allow millions of displaced persons to return home. All sanctions imposed on the former Syrian regime should be lifted as soon as possible. Investments, funding, infrastructure services, as well as healthcare and education, must begin immediately. The reconstruction of Syria must start urgently to enable refugees to return,” Fidan said.

The Turkish minister also highlighted that during his talks with al-Sharaa, he observed a "strong will and determination" within Syria’s new leadership to work towards the country’s recovery. However, he stressed that this determination requires the support of the international community to succeed.

The visit marks a significant step in Türkiye’s regional engagement, with its call for international cooperation aimed at stabilizing and rebuilding Syria after years of conflict.

To recall, on December 20, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan informed journalists that the Turkish foreign minister is scheduled to visit Syria in the near future. President Erdogan also stated that Türkiye will assist Syria's new authorities in establishing governance institutions, drafting a constitution, and initiating consultations on these issues with their leader. On December 21, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan confirmed the visit during an interview with France 24 TV channel.    

On November 27, armed opposition groups launched a large-scale offensive against Syrian army positions in Aleppo and Idlib provinces. By the evening of December 7, they had captured Aleppo, Hama, Daraa, and Homs. On December 8, they entered Damascus after Syrian government forces withdrew from the city. Bashar al-Assad resigned from his position as president of Syria and fled the country.

On December 10, Mohammed al-Bashir, who had led the opposition-formed Salvation Government in Idlib province since January 2024, announced his appointment as the head of the Syrian government for the transitional period, which will last until March 1, 2025.

By Khagan Isayev