Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) and Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa (L) shake hands during their meeting in Istanbul. AFP
Images released by TRT showed the two leaders shaking hands at the Dolmabahce Palace, marking a high-profile meeting amid shifting regional dynamics.
The talks came one day after the Trump administration announced the lifting of key sanctions on Syria—a move intended to support post-war reconstruction efforts.
The United Nations estimates Syria’s recovery could cost over $400 billion.
According to Turkey’s Anadolu Agency, the meeting was attended by the foreign ministers of both countries, Turkey’s defence minister, and the head of its national intelligence agency, MIT.
SANA reported that Syria’s Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra was also part of the delegation.
Turkey, once a key backer of rebel forces that helped oust former president Bashar Al-Assad, has since realigned its policy toward Damascus.
Along with Qatar, it was among the first countries to reopen its embassy in Syria following the power transition and pushed for easing international sanctions to aid the country’s recovery.
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