Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has expressed openness to meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, contingent upon the "content" of the encounter, with Turkey's presence in Syria being a crucial point of contention. Erdogan had previously indicated the possibility of inviting Assad to Turkey, signaling a potential reconciliation following strained relations between the two countries due to the conflict that erupted in Syria in 2011.

Erdogan initially supported early rebel efforts to overthrow Assad but later reversed course in recent years. Notably, top officials from both countries engaged in Russian-mediated talks last year. Turkey's significant military and political support for the Syrian opposition, particularly in northwest Syria, has been a defining factor in the complex relationship between the two nations.

The presence of Turkish troops in northern Syria, aimed at countering the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), has been a point of contention. Assad emphasized that any meeting's "reference points" should address the cessation of support for terrorism and the withdrawal from Syrian territory, which he identified as the core issues.

While Erdogan has indicated a shift in focus towards preventing the emergence of a "terror corridor" in northern Syria, primarily targeting the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), Assad's conditions for a meeting with Erdogan underscore the deep-seated complexities in their relationship.

The potential meeting between Assad and Erdogan reflects a significant development in the regional dynamics, with both leaders navigating a complex geopolitical landscape shaped by the ongoing conflict in Syria and the involvement of various foreign actors.

The evolving dynamics between Turkey and Syria, as well as the potential for a meeting between their leaders, underscore the intricate and multifaceted nature of the geopolitical landscape in the region.