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After Assad's fall, Erdogan enjoys moment 'in the sun': Analysts

Erdogan says 'inclusive' administration needed in Syria 

Published : Wednesday, 18 December, 2024 at 12:00 AM  Count : 269
ISTANBUL, Dec 17: After backing the rebels who overthrew Bashar al-Assad and brokering a key Horn of Africa peace deal, Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan has boosted his international standing, leaving him well-placed to mediate between Russia and Ukraine, analysts say. 

Although Turkey was not directly involved in the Syrian strongman's overthrow, it has long maintained a working relationship with the Islamist-led HTS rebels behind the push, leaving it with a direct line to Damascus as other governments fret over the group's Al-Qaeda roots. 

Erdogan was jubilant as the rebels stormed Damascus, and just days later, his spy chief Ibrahim Kalin became the first high-profile figure to visit HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, who now goes by his real name Ahmed al-Sharaa. 

The same week, Erdogan scored another diplomatic coup by brokering the end of a bitter year-long dispute between Ethiopia and Somalia.

In another boost for Erdogan's international standing, Turkey's role in the Syria upheaval won praise on Monday from president-elect Donald Trump. 

"I think Turkey is very smart... Turkey did an unfriendly takeover, without a lot of lives being lost," the billionaire businessman told reporters at his Florida residence.

"Erdogan has played the long game from a power projection and security perspective," Anthony Skinner, director of research at Marlow Global, told AFP. 

His government "has carefully cultivated relations with both state and non-state actors to maximise Turkey's leverage in its back yard and further afield," he said. 

"The returns are particularly apparent in Syria and the Horn of Africa. Erdogan has played his cards well until now and he holds an enviable hand in Syria."

Just days later, Erdogan also offered to step in to resolve a dispute between Khartoum and Abu Dhabi over the brutal conflict gripping Sudan that has left tens of thousands dead. 

Meanwhile, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that an inclusive administration is needed in Syria and called on the European Union to support the return of Syrians who fled during the country's 13-year civil war.

"We have seen that we agree on the establishment of an inclusive administration in Syria," Erdogan said at a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Ankara.

Erdogan said there was no place for terrorist organisations in the region, referring specifically to Islamic State and Kurdish militant groups. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has previously highlighted the importance of an inclusive transition process in Syria.    —AFP. REUTERS


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