New Syrian authorities declare support for strategic relations with Türkiye

The new Syrian authorities intend to maintain strategic relations with their neighbor Türkiye, Ahmed ash-Sharaa, known by the nickname Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, the leader of armed formations that came to power in Damascus, told the Yeni Şafak newspaper, Report informs via TASS.

"We will have strategic relations [with Türkiye]. Türkiye has many priorities in creating a new Syrian state. There will be mutual commercial ties, and we believe that Türkiye will share its economic development experience with Syria," he said.

Ash-Sharaa expressed hope that half of Syria's residents who left since 2011 would return to their homeland.

"Syrians found refuge in many countries, but Türkiye accepted the most and treated them with more respect than others. I hope Syria won't forget this," he added.

According to Türkiye's Ministry of Interior, slightly more than 2.9 million Syrian refugees may be present in the republic. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan previously announced plans to ensure the return of about 1 million refugees to Syria.