Turkey congratulated the Syrian people on Monday as they marked one year since the fall of Bashar al-Assad, with Ankara saying it would continue to back efforts to secure stability, security and prosperity in the war-torn country.
In a written statement celebrating Syria’s “Liberation Day,” the foreign ministry said, “We wholeheartedly congratulate the Syrian people as they celebrate their day of freedom.”
Tens of thousands of Syrians took to the streets in cities across the country on Monday to mark one year since the Islamist-led alliance headed by Ahmed al-Sharaa seized Damascus, ending more than 50 years of Assad family rule.
Al-Sharaa, the leader of militant group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former affiliate of al-Qaeda, assumed the presidency in January.
The ministry described the past year as a period in which the new Syrian leadership pursued a “wise and peaceful” foreign policy despite significant challenges.
The ministry said the government in Damascus had taken “firm steps” toward gaining the international standing it “rightfully deserves” and reaffirmed Ankara’s commitment to supporting Syria’s reconstruction and political transition.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan issued a separate message marking the anniversary, praising what he described as the resilience of the Syrian people since the collapse of the Assad regime in December 2024.
“We welcome with appreciation the progress our Syrian brothers and sisters have made over the past year despite every difficulty, act of sabotage and provocation,” Erdoğan said in a statement on X.
Yıllar süren bir zulüm düzeninin, çok ağır bedellerin, büyük acıların, türlü zorlukların ardından Suriyeli kardeşlerimizi özgürlüğüne kavuşturan 8 Aralık Devrimi’nin 1’inci yılını yürekten tebrik ediyorum.… pic.twitter.com/M8yJFXGpRc
— Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (@RTErdogan) December 8, 2025
He added that Turkey would continue to support Syria in protecting its territorial integrity, restoring internal peace among all communities and becoming a “center of stability and tranquility” in the region.
The armed coalition captured the capital on December 8, 2024, after a rapid offensive launched in late November. The takeover ended a conflict that began in 2011 when government forces violently repressed pro-democracy protests.
Ankara was among the fiercest critics of Assad during the conflict but in recent years signaled openness to limited engagement before the regime’s collapse.
Since the fall of Assad, Turkey has voiced support for the country’s political transition while also emphasizing the need to secure its own borders and facilitate conditions for the voluntary return of refugees.
Al-Sharaa enjoys close relations with the Turkish government and has visited President Erdoğan several times since becoming president.