Syrian Leader al-Sharaa Visits Ankara for Talks With Turkey’s Erdogan

Turkey was the primary backer of a rebel offensive late last year that toppled Syria’s long-ruling Assad regime.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) and Syria's interim leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, hold a joint press conference following their meeting at the Presidential Palace in Ankara on Feb. 4, 2025. Ozan Kose/AFP via Getty Images

Syria’s de facto leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, visited Ankara on Feb. 4, where he met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other top Turkish officials.

At a joint press conference held after the meeting, al-Sharaa said Syria and NATO member Turkey sought to forge a “strategic partnership” aimed at ensuring “permanent security and stability” for both countries.