Al-Sharaa’s Diplomatic Challenge: Balancing Kurdish Aspirations and Turkish Demands

Despite mounting pressure, al-Sharaa is expected to navigate his diplomatic path carefully, recognizing the need to engage in dialogue with Kurdish political and military entities to ensure Syria’s stability and unity.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) and Ahmed al-Sharaa the head of Syria’s transitional government (R). (Photo: Kurdistan24)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) and Ahmed al-Sharaa the head of Syria’s transitional government (R). (Photo: Kurdistan24)

Feb. 4, 2025

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Ahmed al-Sharaa, the newly appointed head of Syria’s transitional government, is set to visit Ankara on Tuesday, at the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

On Monday, Turkish Presidency's Head of Communications Fahrettin Altun, confirmed the visit in a statement posted on X.

According to Altun, the discussions will focus on the latest developments in Syria, with particular emphasis on economic reconstruction, security, and stability. 

Additionally, Turkey is expected to reaffirm its support for the transitional government and the Syrian people.

This marks al-Sharaa’s first visit to Turkey and his second official trip abroad since assuming office as Syria’s new leader.

Political observers suggest that the Kurdish cause in Syria and border security will be at the forefront of al-Sharaa’s talks with Turkish officials.

Turkey and Syria share a 900-kilometer border, with parts of it controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and its military wing, the People's Protection Units (YPG). 

Ankara considers these groups an extension of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which it classifies as a terrorist organization.

However, in a recent interview with the Associated Press, Mazloum Abdi, the SDF’s General Commander, denied any links to the PKK, stating that the SDF is not involved in Turkey’s conflict with the group.

Political observers believe Turkey will pressure al-Shara to ensure the territorial integrity of Syria and push for the disarmament of Kurdish forces in exchange for Ankara’s support for the new Syrian leadership and post-war reconstruction efforts.

Speaking to Agence France-Presse (AFP), Hamit Bozarslan, a Kurdish affairs expert based in Paris, emphasized Ankara’s opposition to any Kurdish autonomous entity in Syria.

"Erdogan does not want to see a Kurdish entity emerge in Syria," Bozarslan stated.

Despite mounting pressure, al-Sharaa is expected to navigate his diplomatic path carefully, recognizing the need to engage in dialogue with Kurdish political and military entities to ensure Syria’s stability and unity.

The Role of U.S. Foreign Policy in Shaping the Talks

According to Gonul Tol, head of the Turkey Studies Program at the Middle East Institute in Washington, diplomacy remains the preferred approach to resolving disputes in northern Syria.

"The first option is to resolve issues through diplomacy and dialogue," Tol noted. "However, at times, firm positions must be taken, as no region in Syria can remain outside Damascus' control."

Tol also stressed that the trajectory of these negotiations is closely tied to the policy direction of the new U.S. administration under Donald Trump, as Washington’s stance will heavily influence the dynamics in Syria.

As the high-stakes meeting in Ankara approaches, the future of the cause of Kurds in Syrian and regional security remains a critical point of contention, with potential implications for both Syria’s internal stability and Turkey’s strategic interests.