Turkey is set to reopen its embassy in Damascus, Syria, marking a significant development nearly a week after forces backed by Ankara toppled President Bashar al-Assad.
This comes 12 years after the diplomatic mission was closed during the early stages of Syria’s civil war.
The decision coincides with a high-level meeting in Jordan, where diplomats from the Middle East and the West gathered to discuss Syria’s future.
The reopening also follows nationwide celebrations in Syria, which erupted after Assad’s ouster.
Ankara has played a pivotal role in Syria’s prolonged conflict, exerting influence over the northwest, funding armed factions, and maintaining ties with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the Islamist group leading the offensive that ousted Assad.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced that Burhan Koroglu, the newly appointed charge d’affaires, departed for Syria on Friday, with plans to make the embassy operational the next day.
Fidan revealed that Ankara had engaged with Assad’s key allies, Russia and Iran, to ensure they stayed out of the conflict during the rebel advance.
“The most important thing was to talk to the Russians and Iranians to ensure that they didn’t enter the equation militarily… They understood,” he stated during an interview with NTV.
As Syrian rebels consolidate their control, representatives from the European Union, the United States, and the Arab world convened in Aqaba, Jordan.
UN special envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen emphasized the urgency of providing humanitarian aid and stabilizing state institutions to prevent collapse.
“If we can achieve that, perhaps there is a new opportunity for the Syrian people,” he said.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken participated in the discussions, which came ahead of a planned Qatari delegation visit to Syria.
The delegation is expected to meet transitional government officials to discuss aid delivery and the reopening of Qatar’s embassy. Unlike several other Arab nations, Qatar had consistently refused to restore diplomatic ties with Assad since 2011.
Assad’s departure marks the end of an era characterized by widespread repression, including imprisonment and execution of dissenters.
His ouster, after nearly 14 years of civil war, concludes a conflict that has claimed over 500,000 lives and displaced millions.
‘Tears of Joy’
On the eve of the Jordan meeting, Syrians celebrated Assad’s fall with jubilant demonstrations they called the “Friday of victory.” Fireworks illuminated the skies over Damascus as crowds filled Umayyad Square in celebration. Similar scenes unfolded across cities like Homs, Hama, and Idlib.
Ahmad Abd al-Majed, an engineer who recently returned to Aleppo from Turkey, described the outpouring of emotion, “Syrians deserve to be happy,” he said, recounting the tears of joy he witnessed.
In Sweida, a stronghold of the Druze minority, 77-year-old Bayan al-Hinnawi expressed disbelief at living to see Assad’s downfall. “It’s a wonderful sight. Nobody could have imagined this could happen,” he said, reflecting on his 17 years in prison.
Although HTS, rooted in Syria’s branch of Al-Qaeda, is designated a terrorist group by many Western nations, it has sought to present a moderate face.
The interim government has pledged to uphold the rights of all Syrians and ensure the rule of law. An EU official, speaking anonymously, confirmed efforts to establish contact with the new rulers.
Meanwhile, efforts are underway to uncover the grim legacy of Assad’s regime. The International Committee of the Red Cross estimates over 35,000 disappearances during his rule, though the actual numbers are believed to be much higher. Families like Abu Mohammed’s are desperately seeking answers about missing loved ones.
Amid the celebrations, Syrians face immediate challenges, including severe shortages and economic instability. On Friday, the EU launched an airlift operation to deliver an initial 50 tonnes of health supplies via Turkey.
Regional Dynamics and Strikes
Assad’s regime had relied heavily on support from Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah. Reports suggest Assad has fled Syria, with Russian officials claiming his whereabouts remain unknown.
His ouster coincided with a ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war in Lebanon, which dealt significant losses to Hezbollah.
Since Assad’s fall, both Israel and Turkey have conducted military strikes in Syria. Early Saturday, Israeli airstrikes reportedly destroyed a scientific research center in Barzeh and targeted military sites near Damascus and Qalamun.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the strikes aimed to dismantle the remnants of Syria’s military infrastructure.
Israeli forces have also moved into the UN-monitored buffer zone on the Golan Heights, a move that the UN condemned as a violation of the 1974 armistice.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that troops would remain in the area throughout the winter, signaling ongoing regional tensions.
