Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan joined a high-profile international gathering on Saturday to deliberate Syria’s future following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. 

The meeting, held in the Jordanian city of Aqaba near the Syrian border, is part of a coordinated effort to promote regional stability and international collaboration in addressing Syria’s challenges. 

Prominent participants include U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, European Union Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas, and UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen. Delegations from Jordan, the UAE, France, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, Germany, the UK, and the Arab League are also present. 

This marks the first international conference on Syria since the Assad regime’s downfall. 

Bashar al-Assad, who ruled Syria for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia on December 8 after anti-regime forces captured Damascus. The Baath Party regime, which had governed Syria since 1963, was brought to an end following years of civil conflict and international pressure. 

The participants are expected to discuss pathways for political transition, humanitarian aid delivery, rebuilding efforts, and fostering stability in the war-ravaged nation. 

The Aqaba talks underscore the international community’s renewed commitment to addressing the multifaceted crisis in Syria and ensuring the country’s recovery in the wake of Assad’s departure. (ILKHA)