Asaad al-Shaibani, Syria’s interim Foreign Minister, visited Turkey for the first time, meeting President Erdogan and other officials. Tensions continue in Latakia with clashes between Assad-aligned groups and Syria’s interim authorities. Furthermore, the Kurdish-led SDF repelled an attack from the Turkish-backed SNA in northeast Syria, indicating ongoing strife in the region.
Syria’s interim Foreign Minister, Asaad al-Shaibani, made his first official visit to Turkey, where he met with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The visit, conducted in Ankara’s presidential complex, included high-level discussions with Turkish officials. Al-Shaibani emphasized his role in representing a new Syria, noting Turkey’s longstanding support for the Syrian people amidst the ongoing conflict.
Turkey has backed opposition groups during the Syrian Civil War since its onset in 2011, following the Assad regime’s suppression of protests. Ankara has also engaged militarily in the region against Kurdish factions since 2016. Since the Assad regime’s destabilization, Turkey has strengthened its cooperation with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and the Syrian interim government to assist in post-Assad recovery.
Accompanied by a delegation, Al-Shaibani’s visit followed previous engagements in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, and the UAE. His agenda included key meetings with Turkish officials, including the Minister of National Defense and the Intelligence Director. This diplomatic effort reflects escalating ties between the interim Syrian government and Turkey.
Simultaneously, clashes erupted in Latakia province between Assad-aligned forces and the Syrian interim government. The conflict arose after the death of two members of Syria’s Military Security Department, with claims of kidnapping and subsequent rescue operations by authorities. A broader campaign against regime remnants is ongoing across Homs, Damascus, and Latakia, as Syrian authorities conduct raids on weapon caches.
In northeast Syria, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) successfully defended against an assault by Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) near strategic sites. Reports indicate casualties on both sides, with the SDF destroying SNA equipment in retaliation. The ongoing military engagements in this region have resulted in substantial fatalities, highlighting the persistent violence throughout Syria, particularly affecting vital infrastructure like the Tishrin dam, a key energy source.
This article discusses recent diplomatic developments following Syria’s interim Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani’s meeting with Turkish President Erdogan amid rising tensions in the region. The backdrop of this visit is the protracted Syrian Civil War, in which Turkey has actively supported opposition groups and maintained relations with the Syrian interim government. Additionally, violent clashes and military operations continue against the Assad regime remnants, marking a complex and volatile situation in Syria.
The visit of Syria’s interim Foreign Minister to Turkey underlines the evolving diplomatic relations between Ankara and the Syrian interim government. Concurrently, clashes in Latakia highlight ongoing security challenges, while fighting persists in northeast Syria involving Kurdish forces. These events underscore the wider context of instability and conflict in the region, paving the way for potential shifts in alliances and power dynamics.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
