Turkey has emerged as one of the most influential power brokers in Syria after rebels toppled Bashar al-Assad last month, ending his family's brutal five-decade rule.

The new administration’s first visit to Ankara comes amid an intensifying struggle for the partition of Syria between the states behind the overthrow of the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad by jihadists led by the al-Qaeda-linked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

Assad, Turkey has become a vital power broker in Syria, with significant diplomatic, economic, and military influence. The country aims to leverage this to strengthen trade, cooperation, and address national security concerns related to Kurdish groups along its border.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan underscored the need to grant Syria's new administration the opportunity to confront the issue of Kurdish militants operating within its borders. He emphasised that Turkish forces would not hesitate to act decisively should this matter remain unresolved.

President Tayyip Erdogan warned on Wednesday that Turkey had the power and ability to "crush" all terrorists in Syria, including Islamic State and Kurdish militants, while urging all countries to "take their hands off" Syria.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan highlighted that the new Syrian administration should address Kurdish militants, but Ankara would not hesitate to act against them if necessary. He acknowledged Russia's strategic decision not to support Assad and anticipated no issues with the U.

Vladimir Putin and Bashar al-Assad were allegedly communicating before rebels took over the Syrian government in December.

Turkey has offered military assistance and capacity-building support to the new Syrian military to combat “terrorist groups”, during an unprecedented visit by a high-level Syrian delegation led by the new Syrian foreign minister to Ankara on Wednesday.

Turkey has no intention of taking over any part of Syria following the ouster of strongman Bashar al-Assad, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Friday.

ANKARA, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- A high-ranking Syrian delegation, led by interim Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, wrapped up a landmark visit to Türkiye this week, signaling a thaw in relations after more than a decade of estrangement.

Asharq Al Awsat Türkiye has emerged as one of the most influential power brokers in Syria after the opposition factions toppled Bashar al-Assad last month, ending his family's brutal five-decade rule.

For the Islamist militant group, armed struggle now looks like a dead end. Its future in Gaza depends on the civilian politburo.