Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan confirmed the reopening of Turkey's embassy in Damascus, which had been closed since 2012 due to the Syrian civil war. Fidan shared that an interim chargé d'affaires and a delegation were already en route to Damascus, marking the first diplomatic step since the embassy's closure due to the escalating violence in Syria. This move signals a shift in Turkey's diplomatic stance toward Syria​.

On Friday, thousands gathered at Damascus' main mosque for the first Friday prayers since President Bashar Assad was ousted. Large celebrations took place in the capital and across Syria, marking a historic moment after insurgents took control of Damascus a week earlier, ending Assad's decades-long rule.

Earlier this week, Hakan Fidan stated that Turkey would reopen its embassy in Syria when conditions were suitable, following the swift rebel offensive that overthrew Bashar al-Assad. Koroglu was appointed to the temporary position of chargé d'affaires on Thursday, according to Anadolu news agency, though the start date is not specified. Turkey closed its Damascus embassy on March 26, 2012, due to the escalating violence from the Syrian civil war and the Turkish government's demand for Assad's resignation.

Koroglu, appointed as Turkey's ambassador to Mauritania a year ago, has now been assigned the role of chargé d'affaires in Damascus, although it's unclear how long he will hold this post. Hakan Fidan also noted that as Syria stabilizes, the number of Syrian refugees returning to their country from Turkey will gradually rise.

Syria's Political Shift

Syria's political transition started with the fall of President Bashar al-Assad's regime, following an insurgent takeover of Damascus. Groups like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham are now seeking to establish a new government, distancing themselves from their extremist past. This transition involves shifting power dynamics, both within Syria and in its international relations, as global actors influence the outcome. The process is still uncertain, but it marks the beginning of Syria's recovery from years of civil war.

How is Turkey involved?

Turkey supported insurgent groups opposing Assad's regime in Syria, aiming to influence the country's political future.

 Turkey is establishing its diplomacy by reopening its embassy in Damascus, signalling a shift in relations with Syria.

The country has focused on managing the Syrian refugee crisis, with plans for repatriations tied to Syria's stabilization.

 This engagement reflects Turkey's broader strategy to stabilize the region and assert influence over Syria's post-conflict governance.

What does this signify?

The reopening of Turkish embassy in Syria signifies a major diplomatic event in the realm of international relations as its marks a thaw in diplomatic ties after years of conflict. The move also indicates Turkey's efforts to strengthen relations with Syria, , potentially influencing its relationships with both regional and global powers. As Syria becomes stable, Turkey may see influx of Syrian refugees returning, which could impact its domestic and foreign policy strategies, especially with neighbouring countries and the European Union​.