Turkey and Syria have initiated diplomatic talks in Damascus for the first time since the overthrow of the Assad regime earlier this month. Syria’s new leader, Ahmed Al Shara, and Turkey’s Foreign Minister.

Hakan Fidan, held a joint press conference, emphasizing the need to lift international sanctions on Syria to facilitate economic rebuilding. Syria’s new administration, led by the HTS Islamist group, is transitioning from governing Idlib, a region they have controlled for seven years, to managing the entire nation.

The HTS, previously linked to Al-Qaeda, has maintained relative stability in Idlib through the Syrian Salvation Government, offering basic services while facing criticism for authoritarian practices. Now governing Syria, HTS faces challenges in gaining international legitimacy and fostering national unity.

Ahmed Al Shara has reassured inclusivity and reconciliation but has yet to implement these promises in governance. While HTS is still classified as a terrorist group by the US, UN, and EU, recent actions, such as the removal of a $10 million bounty on Al Shara, suggest possible warming relations between Syria’s new government and the West.

Experts note that the transitional government’s success will depend on its ability to form an inclusive administration, unite opposition groups, and address the needs of Syria’s diverse population. However, lifting sanctions and securing international support remain critical hurdles.