ALBAWABA- Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa has embarked on his first external visit since the opposition overthrew the ex-Assad regime in December 2024.
After an initial stop in Saudi Arabia—where he met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman—Al-Sharaa has now arrived in Turkey for talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Media reports indicate that discussions are underway for a joint defense agreement between Syria and Turkey.
Under this proposal, Turkey would establish permanent military bases and deploy air-defense systems within Syria to safeguard its airspace against external threats.
Reuters has cited an unnamed Syrian presidential official who expects that Al-Sharaa will soon engage Erdoğan in talks about this joint defense pact.
The proposed agreement would involve setting up Turkish air bases in central Syria and training the new Syrian army.
According to the official, these bases would enable Turkey to defend Syrian airspace if any attack occurs, with Ankara keen to establish such installations as a message to Kurdish fighters in northeastern Syria.
Yesterday, the Turkish President’s office confirmed that Al-Sharaa’s visit came “at the invitation of President Erdoğan, who will host him at the presidential palace.”
Last Wednesday, the new Syrian administration announced Al-Sharaa's appointment as transitional president, accompanied by sweeping reforms.
These include dissolving armed factions, disbanding the old security apparatuses, dissolving the People’s Assembly, banning the decades-long ruling Ba'ath Party, and annulling the previous constitution.
