Ensar Kıvrak
The Somali experience has shown that improving healthcare and education infrastructure in the short term, followed by strengthening institutional capacity and expanding economic opportunities, is effective in the rapid recovery of collapsed state structures. Implementing a similar roadmap in Syria will bolster public support for the new administration. This, in turn, will facilitate return migration and contribute to the long-term recovery of the country’s economy.
TIKA’s Potential Contributions to State Reconstruction in Syria: An Assessmentin Light of the Somali Experience
Türkiye’s international development cooperation agency, TIKA (Turkish Cooperation andCoordination Agency), has carried out numerous projects worldwide since its establishment, focusing on development, humanitarian aid, and institutional capacity building. Within theframework of Türkiye’s “African opening” policies, TIKA’s substantial investment in Somalia, particularly since 2011, was in fact a crucial part of Türkiye’s broader effort to builda regional ally and strategic partner on the African continent.
At a time when Somalia’s state capacity had nearly collapsed, TIKA’s projects—particularlyin infrastructure, healthcare, and education—made significant contributions to the country’sreconstruction process. These efforts also paved the way for Türkiye to expand its influencein the Horn of Africa and establish a strategic partnership with Somalia. Nearly 15 years later, Somali-Türkiye relations today stand as a true success story.
At this point, following the prolonged civil war in Syria, the escape of Bashar al-Assad andthe opposition led by HTS taking control has brought a new state reconstruction process to theagenda. The Assad regime has left behind nothing but ruins in the name of the state as an institutional structure in Syria. Given its status as Türkiye’s neighbor, the reconstruction of the state in Syria presents a highly significant opportunity for Türkiye to establish an alliedneighbor in the region.
Throughout the history of the republic, Türkiye has mostly maintained a status quo-orientedand distant relationship with its neighbors—often even confrontational, as seen in the cases of Armenia and Greece. From this perspective, the prospect of Türkiye developing an alliedrelationship with its longest-bordering neighbor is a highly valuable opportunity for thecountry today.
At this juncture, a comprehensive development and humanitarian aid strategy similar to whatTIKA previously implemented in Somalia could come into play. In critical phases such as restoring the fundamental functions of the state, strengthening institutional structures, andrepairing infrastructure, TIKA’s experience holds the potential to align with Türkiye’sdiplomatic and strategic objectives.
TIKA’s African Experience and the Somalia Model
Following its establishment in 1992, TIKA initially expanded its sphere of influence in Central Asia and the Balkans, before beginning operations in various regions of Africa in the2000s. With its institutional restructuring in 2011, TIKA started carrying out projects in manycountries and regions worldwide. In line with Türkiye’s Africa outreach policy and its goal of deepening relations with African nations, Somalia emerged as a particularly prominentexample.
At a time when state authority in Somalia had almost entirely collapsed, and the country wasplagued by chronic insecurity and a severe humanitarian crisis, TIKA launchedcomprehensive projects aimed at restoring the failed state structure. The backbone of theseprojects included the construction and renovation of hospitals, training of healthcarepersonnel, building and restoring schools, supporting agricultural production, and enhancingthe institutional capacity of public institutions.
Türkiye did not limit its efforts in Somalia to humanitarian aid alone; it pursued a policy of establishing a strong strategic partnership on political, economic, and social fronts. Thisstrategy positioned Türkiye as both a respected regional actor and a nation with diplomaticand economic influence through its engagement in Somalia. One of the most concreteexamples of this can be seen in Türkiye’s mediation role between Somalia and Ethiopia. Therefore, TIKA’s mission in Somalia was not confined to development and humanitarianassistance; it also extended to Türkiye’s broader strategic objectives on a global scale. Theresult today is a strong bilateral relationship between Somalia and Türkiye, along withTürkiye’s significant influence in the region.
From the Somalia Model to Syria: Potential Opportunities and Risks
Following Bashar al-Assad’s departure from the country on December 8, 2024, the fall of Damascus marked the beginning of a new era. The destruction left behind by years of widespread conflict rendered everything from urban infrastructure to public institutionsinoperable. Now, the new administration faces urgent challenges, including the restoration of essential public services, the facilitation of refugee returns, and the stabilization of theeconomy. This new phase in Syria has also opened a crucial window of opportunity forTürkiye. Just as it did in Somalia, TIKA has the potential to become one of the keyimplementers of projects supporting Syria’s reconstruction in every aspect—and indeed, it must. The fact that TIKA has recently resumed its activities in Syria signals this verydirection.
The immediate priority must be urgent interventions to repair the war-damaged infrastructureand alleviate the ongoing humanitarian crisis. Public services such as rebuilding or renovatinghospitals, making water and sewage systems operational, establishing electricity grids, andaddressing housing needs will serve as the initial steps in restoring the state’s legitimacy in theeyes of society. Health and education projects are also of great importance at this stage. GivenTürkiye’s extensive experience in constructing hospitals, schools, and similar facilities in Somalia and many other parts of the world, TIKA can carry out similar initiatives in Syria. The steps taken in this regard will yield visible short-term results by creating localemployment and improving humanitarian conditions.
Another critical dimension is the functionalization of state institutions and the establishmentof institutional capacity. The lack of trained human resources in key state organs such as finance, judiciary, security, and local governance remains a serious issue in Syria today, justas it was in Somalia in the past. Through collaboration with public institutions anduniversities in Türkiye, TIKA can organize technical training programs for Syrians residing in Türkiye who wish to return to their country and provide support for technical infrastructuredevelopment. Ensuring regular financial oversight and transparency in the newadministration’s relations with international supporters could also be an essential part of thesecapacity-building projects. In the case of Somalia, when government institutions begandelivering basic services, the state’s legitimacy and credibility increased both domesticallyand internationally. A similar impact is possible in Syria.
In line with Türkiye’s policy of building an allied neighbor in Syria, TIKA’s developmentprojects will also serve as a tool for public diplomacy. On one hand, humanitarian andtechnical assistance can yield tangible results on the ground, while on the other, politicalrelations between the two countries can be strengthened in every aspect. However, the successof this process also entails several significant risks for TIKA.
The first risk is that conflict has not entirely ended in some parts of the country, and securityconcerns persist, particularly due to the uncertain future of PYD-YPG. The safe execution of field activities necessitates the protection of both TIKA personnel and local stakeholders. Thesecond major issue concerns the international legitimacy of the new administration. It remainsunclear to what extent the HTS-led government will be recognized by the internationalcommunity. Some countries may continue to express reservations, impose sanctions, orcondition humanitarian aid on specific terms. The United States’ decision not to lift theCaesar Sanctions is one such example.
Therefore, TIKA’s need for coordination with international organizations and other donorstates will become even more critical. Additionally, Türkiye’s support alone may not suffice for large-scale reconstruction efforts; multilateral financing mechanisms and partnerships willbe essential. In this context, cooperation with countries such as Qatar, with which Türkiye has a closer policy on Syria, becomes even more significant.
Conclusion
The departure of Bashar al-Assad from Syria and the takeover of power by the HTS-ledopposition have ushered in a new era. Following the devastation caused by years of conflict, the country now requires a comprehensive reconstruction process. Türkiye’s experience in supporting the recovery of a failed state, as seen in Somalia, offers valuable lessons for Syria today. The model implemented by TIKA in Somalia not only achieved rapid results in keyareas such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure but also maintained a long-termperspective aimed at strengthening the capacity of local institutions. Adopting a similarapproach in Syria will facilitate the new administration’s ability to provide public servicesacross the country and gain legitimacy in the eyes of the population.
It is clear that this effort aligns with Türkiye’s strategy of establishing an allied neighbor. TIKA’s projects will not only serve as development aid but will also act as steps to enhanceTürkiye’s diplomatic and political influence in the region. Managing this process involves multiple complex dimensions, ranging from coordination with international actors to ensuring security in the field. However, with a well-structured strategy supported by strong politicalwill, TIKA can make a significant contribution to the reconstruction of the Syrian state.
The Somali experience has shown that improving healthcare and education infrastructure in the short term, followed by enhancing institutional capacity and expanding economicop portunities, is effective in the rapid recovery of collapsed state structures. Implementing a similar roadmap in Syria will strengthen public support for the new administration, facilitatere turn migration, and contribute to the long-term revitalization of the country’s economy.
This entire process will positively support Türkiye’s pursuit of security and stability, foster the development of neighborly relations with Syria on a new foundation, and contribute toTürkiye’s policy of establishing an allied neighbor. TIKA is an institution with the capacityand expertise to implement both humanitarian and strategic objectives within such a large-scale transformation. At the end of this process, for the first time in the history of the republic, Türkiye will have an allied neighbor—one that has the potential to emerge as a strong regional actor supporting Türkiye in maintaining regional stability. This represents a historic opportunity for the country.