Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has hinted at a possible rapprochement and the restoration of diplomatic relations with Syria, suggesting an invitation might be extended to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

“We, together with Russian President Vladimir Putin, may have an invitation to Bashar al-Assad,” Erdogan told journalists on his return flight from Astana, Kazakhstan, where he attended the 24th summit of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

“If Mr. Putin can visit Turkey, this could be the beginning of a new process,” Erdogan added. He emphasized the necessity for a permanent solution in Syria, highlighting the extensive damage to fundamental infrastructure and the critical need for reconstruction and stability.

Turkey severed its relations with Syria in March 2012, a year after Syria became embroiled in deadly violence instigated by foreign-backed militants, some of whom were allegedly supported by Ankara.

The normalization process between Ankara and Damascus began on December 28, 2022, when Russian, Syrian, and Turkish defense ministers met in Moscow, marking the highest-level meeting between the two sides since the Syrian conflict began.

Since 2016, Turkey has conducted three major ground operations against US-backed militants in northern Syria. The Turkish government accuses the US-backed Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) militants of having ties with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militant group.

Syria views the Turkish presence on its soil as illegal and maintains the right to defend its sovereignty against occupying forces. President Assad has conditioned any rapprochement with Turkey on Ankara ending its occupation of northern Syria and ceasing its support for militant groups opposing the Damascus government.