Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan welcomed U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Ankara

After a 12-day intense movement, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has been ousted from power, with Turkey playing a significant role. However, despite Assad's removal, stability has not yet returned to the country. Turkey is currently working to restore it. In line with this, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan welcomed U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Ankara on Thursday. The two leaders are discussing key aspects of establishing stability in Syria after the ousting of the autocratic Assad. The meeting, which took place at Esenboğa Airport, was attended by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, the President’s chief adviser Akif Çağatay Kılıç, and communications director Fahrettin Altun.

This visit by Blinken is his first to the region since the opposition forces toppled Assad, and it came after a visit to Jordan. This visit is considered one of the biggest turning points for the Middle East. Over the past 13 years of Syria's civil war, NATO allies Washington and Ankara have supported Syrian opposition forces. Now, both of them want a new administration in Syria and for the Syrians to determine their own future.

A statement regarding Blinken's visit to Ankara mentioned that Erdoğan and Blinken discussed recent events in Syria. The Turkish president called for the international community to work together to rebuild institutions in Syria.

It was also stated that Turkey would take preventive measures against terrorist organizations in Syria to ensure its national security, including the Syrian wing of the PKK, YPG, which has been supported by Washington in the fight against Daesh. Erdoğan emphasized that Turkey would not back down in the fight against Daesh and would prevent the PKK and its affiliates from exploiting the situation.

Meanwhile, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, in a statement, said that Blinken highlighted the interest of the U.S. and Turkey in supporting Syria's leadership-led political transition toward an accountable and inclusive government. On Friday, Blinken will meet with Fidan, and the top agenda for their talks will be the Syria issue.