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Türkiye’s Defense Ministry denied media claims that Syrian military students would serve in the Turkish Armed Forces, stating that they are studying at the National Defense University (MSU) under the Joint Training and Advisory Memorandum of Understanding and will return to their country after completing their education.
In a statement on Thursday, the ministry said, “Syrian military students are studying at MSU within the framework of the ‘Joint Training and Advisory Memorandum of Understanding,’ and it is not possible for these individuals to serve in the Turkish Armed Forces.”
The ministry emphasized that Türkiye conducts training and advisory activities with many friendly and allied nations under signed agreements.
“Within this framework, foreign military students receive education in our country for certain periods and return to their countries after completing their training,” the statement said.
According to the ministry, since the establishment of the National Defense University in 2016 until 2025, a total of 3,016 guest military students from 39 countries, including the United States, the Balkans, Africa, Turkic States, Europe, and the Far East, have studied in military academies, non-commissioned officer vocational schools, officer and NCO basic training programs (SUTASAK and ASTTASAK), the University of Health Sciences, and War Colleges.
The ministry also urged the public not to pay attention to baseless claims aimed at misleading public opinion or creating negative perceptions about state institutions.
The Defense Ministry also provided information about recent counterterrorism and border security operations, underlining the Turkish Armed Forces’ continued determination to protect the country’s defense and security on land, sea, and air.
During the past week, four PKK terrorists surrendered, while search and clearance operations continued both along the borders and across the operation zones.
Since Jan. 8, within the scope of the “tunnel destruction” activities in Syria’s operational areas, the total length of tunnels neutralized in Tel Rifat and Manbij has reached 715 kilometers (444.28 miles).
Under ongoing border security operations, 96 individuals were captured last week while attempting to cross the border illegally. Since Jan. 1, the total number of people caught attempting to cross unlawfully has reached 8,301.
Including the 1,038 individuals prevented this week, the total number of people stopped this year has risen to 56,638.
In addition, search operations conducted along the Van and Hakkari border lines led to the seizure of 102 kilograms of narcotics.
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