Syria's al-Sharaa, to be hosted by Recep Tayyip Erdogan - Turkish airbases in Syria on the table

Syria’s transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are set to discuss a potential joint defense pact in Ankara today, which could include the establishment of Turkish airbases in central Syria and Ankara-led military training for Syria’s newly forming army, according to four sources familiar with the matter.

Turkey, a NATO member, has long supported Syria’s armed and political opposition to former leader Bashar al-Assad, who was ousted in a swift offensive by Sharaa’s forces in late December. With Iran - Assad’s main regional backer - losing influence in Damascus, Turkey is positioning itself as a dominant force in Syria’s reconstruction, a move that could provoke tensions with Gulf states and heighten Israeli concerns over Ankara’s growing military footprint.

This marks the first time details have emerged about a potential strategic defense agreement between Turkey and Syria’s new leadership, including plans for additional Turkish military bases. The pact, if realized, would grant Turkey expanded access to Syrian airspace for military operations and see Turkish forces play a key role in training Syria’s restructured army.

Sharaa’s administration has disbanded both Assad’s military and the various rebel factions that fought in the country’s civil war, aiming to unify them under a single command. However, sources indicate that while today’s discussions are significant, a final agreement is not expected to be reached at this meeting.