Agencies
Istanbul
Turkey reopened its embassy in the Syrian capital Damascus on Saturday, state broadcaster TRT reported, a week after a rebel alliance overthrew long-term authoritarian ruler Bashar al-Assad.
The embassy was closed in 2012 due to the deteriorating security situation during the Syrian civil war.
A Turkish flag was raised at the embassy building on Saturday, TRT footage showed.
It comes after Turkey appointed a charge d’affaires to Damascus on Thursday.
On Sunday, an alliance led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) ended 24 years of rule by Assad when they took Damascus after making gains in a lightening offensive, prompting the Assad family to flee to Moscow.
HTS is designated as a terrorist group by several Western powers - including the United States and the European Union - but since its victory it has attempted to present a moderate face.
With an open communication channel with HTS fighters, Turkey is now considered the most influential foreign actor in Syria.
Ankara is already advising plans for the country’s future political structure. Turkey told HTS that they are hoping for a peaceful transition, a source familiar with the matter in Ankara told DPA.
Turkey is now the “key” player in its region, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in euphoric remarks on Saturday.
Syria’s “popular revolution” makes Turkey “proud,” Erdogan told a party meeting in the eastern province of Erzurum. The Turkish president mocked Assad for having fled “with his tail between his legs” and pledged increased support to Syria’s transition government.
However, Turkey has already made clear that it will continue to oppose Kurdish forces which control large parts of north-east Syria along the Turkish border.
Erdogan is set to meet Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Cairo with talks focused on Syria, as Egypt turns to Ankara to allay concerns about Syria’s new government. Erdogan will attend a summit of developing nations, called the D-8, in the Egyptian capital on December 19.
