Syria’s transitional government is increasing outreach to Turkey and the United States, ahead of the UN General Assembly. This comes in the wake of a new deal over Sweida, in which the US, Jordan, and Syria have signed on to a road map for key areas in southern Syria. However, Syria also appears concerned about potential changes in Washington’s policy.
Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani arrived in Washington for talks on Thursday. These are aimed at ending the remaining sanctions on Syria. This is the first visit of Syria’s new foreign minister to the US, and it is apparently the first visit by a Syrian foreign minister to Washington in 25 years.
There are other issues that are being discussed, including Syria-Israel ties. While the countries do not have ties, Washington is mediating.
Growing Turkish influence in Syria
US Sen. Lindsey Graham and others are expected to meet the Syrian envoy, according to Axios. Meanwhile, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa also met with Turkey’s intelligence chief to discuss regional developments, according to Syrian state media SANA.
Ibraham Kalin, the Turkish intelligence head, is a key figure in the ruling AKP Party and close to Turkey’s leader, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. As such, this goes beyond merely a meeting between the Syrian leader and a Turkish official.
This is about Turkey’s influence and close ties with Damascus.
According to Syria’s SANA, the two officials will discuss the SDF and the agreements with Damascus. The SDF is the US-backed anti-ISIS force in eastern Syria that is staffed primarily by Kurds.
In March, the SDF leader Mazlum Abdi flew to Damascus and met with Sharaa. Recently, the head of US Central Command was also in Damascus. It is important for the US that the SDF-Damascus agreement continue smoothly. Ankara opposes the SDF and considers it a terrorist-linked group. “They also emphasized the unity and territorial integrity of Syria,” SANA reported.
At the same time, Syria’s Defense Minister Maj.-Gen. Murhaf Abu Qusra visited the country’s Higher Military Academy. “Defense Minister Maj.-Gen. Murhaf Abu Qusra visited on Tuesday the Higher Military Academy, where he reviewed its departments, assessed their readiness, and examined the educational resources in use,” SANA reported. “Maj.-Gen. Abu Qusra also met with the teaching staff, emphasizing the importance of developing the educational process and enhancing competencies to meet the requirements of the current stage,” the report added.