Syria’s interim president is in the Turkish capital for talks expected to focus on Syria’s economic recovery and the presence of Kurdish-led forces in the north of the country that Turkey considers to be a security threat.

Their meeting was the first since the former rebel leader led the offensive that last month toppled Syria’s former autocratic ruler, Bashar al-Assad.

Syria's newly appointed president for a transitional phase Ahmed al-Sharaa meets with Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, February 4, 2025. Murat Cetinmuhurdar/PPO/Handout via REUTERS

It’s the first meeting of Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Shara, and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey has military posts in Syria and hosts millions of Syrian refugees.

The meeting between the Turkish president and Syria's new leader will focus on Syria's post-conflict reconstruction, economic recovery and security issues.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa met in Ankara to discuss strategies against Kurdish militants and Islamic State forces in northeast Syria. Both countries are keen on enhancing cooperation,

Syria's interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa visits Ankara on Tuesday for talks with Turkey's leaders on rebuilding his land and the volatile issue of Kurdish fighters near the countries' border.

Interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa is expected in neighbouring Turkey on Tuesday to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, on his second official trip abroad since taking power. The meeting is scheduled to be held later in the evening in the capital Ankara,