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Turkish Ministry of National Defense (MoND) announced plans for technical delegations to visit Syria to assess defense needs and establish a joint roadmap for military cooperation, while addressing speculation about potential peacekeeping deployments to Ukraine.
Ministry sources provided detailed updates during a weekly press briefing Thursday on the expanding defense cooperation with Syria following the Aug. 13, signing of a Joint Training and Advisory Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries.
"Technical visits through delegations from our Ministry are planned for observing needs on-site and establishing a joint roadmap aimed at increasing Syria's defense capacity," Ministry of National Defense sources stated.
The agreement between Türkiye and Syria aims to enhance Syria's defense capabilities and establish concrete military cooperation. Ministry sources emphasized the scope of current activities under the memorandum.
"Within the scope of the agreement, the restructuring process of the Syrian Armed Forces has gained momentum; training, advisory, technical support and mutual visits have been initiated," the sources said. "These activities are being conducted in coordination with the Syrian Defense Ministry."
The cooperation already includes concrete steps, with the Syrian Defense Ministry's Training Department Head and accompanying delegation visiting Türkiye's National Defense University. Training activities requested by the Syrian Defense Ministry are currently ongoing.
Ministry sources outlined Türkiye's strategic vision for Syria's military development and regional stability.
"Türkiye views Syria's stability as critical for regional peace and continues to support the 'One State, One Army' principle," the sources stated.
"In the coming period, mutual delegation visits and training activities are expected to increase, and the scope of cooperation is anticipated to expand," sources noted.
The technical visits will focus on direct observation of Syria's defense infrastructure needs to develop a tailored assistance program that addresses specific requirements of the Syrian Armed Forces restructuring process.
Responding to media reports about potential Turkish peacekeeping force deployment to Ukraine, ministry sources urged caution against premature assessments while outlining necessary prerequisites for any such mission.
"Türkiye is a country that produces peace and stability in its region and tries to contribute to all initiatives in this direction," the sources said.
"However, first a ceasefire must be achieved between Russia and Ukraine, then the framework of a mission with a clearly defined mandate must be determined, and which country will contribute to what extent must be established," sources noted.
The sources emphasized that current discussions remain speculative: "Making evaluations based on predictions that have not yet been put on concrete ground would not be healthy or correct."
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Ministry spokesperson Rear Admiral Zeki Akturk also reported significant operational achievements in Syrian territories, revealing the scale of Turkish military activities against terrorist infrastructure.
"Turkish Armed Forces continued terrain search and sweep operations, cave, shelter and bunker operations, as well as mine and improvised explosive device detection and disposal activities, particularly in the Claw-Lock operation area," Akturk stated during the briefing.
He provided specific metrics on tunnel destruction operations: "In Syrian operational areas, including Tel Rifaat and Manbij, the length of destroyed tunnels has reached 548 kilometers."
Akturk added that numerous weapons, ammunition and various materials belonging to terrorists were seized and rendered unusable during these operations, demonstrating the ongoing intensity of counter-terrorism efforts in the region.
The ministry also addressed the recent visit of Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, with whom Defense Minister Yasar Guler held discussions on Aug. 19.
"A productive meeting was held with Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, who came to our country as our Minister's guest on August 19, where bilateral cooperation and regional defense and security issues were discussed," ministry sources confirmed.
The sources elaborated on the meeting's outcomes: "Views and evaluations shared in a sincere and constructive atmosphere between Türkiye and Japan, which have a deep-rooted friendship based on historical ties and mutual respect, will contribute to the development of military relations between the two countries and lead to concrete steps for the benefit of our peoples in strengthening our dialogue and cooperation in the defense field in the coming period."
Akturk also addressed the humanitarian situation in Gaza, calling for immediate action to alleviate the crisis.
"The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza deepens with each passing day. The Palestinian people are struggling to survive under extremely harsh conditions due to hunger, deprivation and lack of access to basic needs," Akturk said.
He emphasized Türkiye's position on the conflict: "In this period when lasting peace and stability are needed more than ever in our region, a ceasefire must be declared in Gaza as soon as possible and humanitarian aid must be delivered to the region."
"We emphasize once again that we will continue our support for the rightful struggle of the Palestinian people and that lasting stability and peace in the region is possible through a two-state solution," he concluded.
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