Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a meeting with Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, in Damascus, according to a statement from Turkish foreign ministry on Sunday.

Photographs and footage released by the ministry show Fidan and al-Sharaa, leader of the Syrian group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), embracing and shaking hands. HTS recently led an operation to oust Syrian President Bashar al-Assad two weeks ago, a development that has drawn significant international attention.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had previously announced on Friday that Fidan would be traveling to Damascus to discuss the evolving political and security structure in Syria. The visit underscores Turkey’s active role in shaping the future of its war-torn neighbor, as the region undergoes significant geopolitical shifts.

The meeting comes at a critical time for Syria, with ongoing efforts to resolve long-standing conflicts and establish a new governance framework. Türkiye, which has supported certain opposition factions during the Syrian conflict, appears to be positioning itself as a key player in influencing the post-Assad era.

While details of the discussions remain undisclosed, the meeting signals a potential realignment of alliances and strategies in the region. Observers will be closely monitoring the outcomes of this high-level engagement. (ILKHA)