Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa arrives in Ankara for high-stakes NATO Summit meetings

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa arrived in Ankara on July 8 to attend crucial meetings on the sidelines of a major NATO Summit. This visit follows a two-day trip by French President Emmanuel Macron to Damascus, signaling a shift in regional diplomacy.

Al-Sharaa's presence at the summit holds considerable importance for Syria's future trajectory. Turkey, a key supporter of Damascus, is hosting the event, and Al-Sharaa has also received backing from other NATO members, including the United States. Video footage showed the Syrian leader disembarking from a plane at Ankara's Esenboğa Airport, where he was welcomed by Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat and other officials.

The summit, hosted by Turkey from July 7-8, addresses a range of regional and global security challenges. Notable attendees include U.S. President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, among leaders from Finland, Slovakia, Italy, Canada, Bulgaria, Albania, and Montenegro. These meetings are vital for Syria as it seeks to solidify its relationships with NATO members.

Concerns exist in Jerusalem regarding Syria's potential future threat, particularly as Israeli and Turkish officials have recently engaged in diplomatic disputes. While Israel views Ankara as a potential threat, its membership in NATO complicates direct confrontation. Israel maintains warm relations with Greece, another NATO member.

Syria's stability is a critical issue in the Middle East as the nation rebuilds after years of civil war. Turkey's role has evolved, initially backing Syrian rebels, then cooperating with Russia and Iran to de-escalate conflict, especially after the Syrian regime's advance into Aleppo in 2016. Subsequently, Turkey shifted its focus to combating the Kurdish YPG, which it links to the PKK, leading to Turkish incursions into Kurdish-held areas in 2018 and 2019. The U.S., which previously supported the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, is now considering withdrawal, while Turkey seeks a new role, backing the Syrian government and integrating Kurdish forces with its security apparatus.

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the visit coincides with the 36th NATO Summit, which is being held in Ankara on July 7-8 and hosted by Türkiye, as the alliance faces a range of regional and global security challenges.