Recent developments have brought the ongoing discussions on normalizing Türkiye-Syria relations back to the forefront. Following his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s special envoy, Alexander Lavrentiev, Syrian leader Bashar Assad, according to the Syrian News Agency, stated, "Syria is open to all initiatives for Syria-Türkiye relations based on its sovereignty over the entire territory of the country and the fight against terrorism and terrorist organizations." Similarly, the Syrian News Agency quoted Lavrentiev as saying that Russia supports all initiatives for Syria-Türkiye relations, adding: "We see that the conditions for successful mediation are more favorable than ever. Russia is ready to work to advance the negotiations. The goal is to succeed in restoring relations between Syria and Türkiye."

Then, on June 28, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made a very clear statement: "There is no reason why diplomatic relations between Türkiye and Syria should not be re-established," and added, "We will act together in the same way as we did in the past. We cannot have any problem like interfering in Syria’s internal affairs."

The second major development occurred in a different context. Following the statements, allegations spread on social media that a Syrian asylum-seeker had "sexually harassed" a Syrian asylum-seeker girl in Kayseri, a conservative and nationalist province in Türkiye. These allegations led to mass demonstrations and violence. By the morning, it was revealed that serious attacks had been carried out against Syrian asylum-seekers. On the same day, demonstrations were organized in northern Syria against Türkiye. Turkish flags were attacked, and some military groups within the Syrian National Army attacked the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK). Although the events in Syria were seen as a reaction to the incidents in Kayseri, one of the main reasons was Erdoğan’s statements on "normalization." The latest development was the announcement that the leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), Özgür Özel, would visit Damascus to meet with Assad.

The recent developments in Türkiye-Syria relations necessitate a re-evaluation of the so-called normalization process. Here are some key points we can highlight so far: