Erdogan boosts his standing

After backing the rebels who overthrew Bashar al-Assad and brokering a key Horn of Africa peace deal, Türkiye's Recep Tayyip Erdogan has boosted his international standing, leaving him well-placed to mediate between Russia and Ukraine, analysts say.

- AFP

Istanbul -

Although Türkiye was not directly involved in the Syrian strongman's overthrow, it has long maintained a working relationship with the Islamist-led HTS rebels behind the push, leaving it with a direct line to Damascus as other governments fret over the group's al-Qaeda roots.

Erdogan was jubilant as the rebels stormed Damascus and just days later, his spy chief Ibrahim Kalin became the first high-profile figure to visit HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, who now goes by his real name Ahmed al-Sharaa.