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Türkiye is reportedly preparing to supply a range of military equipment to Syria as part of a deal that would allow Ankara to target the YPG terrorist group, which operates along the Syrian border under the umbrella of the SDF, Bloomberg reported Friday, citing Turkish officials familiar with the matter.
The planned shipments will include armored vehicles, drones, artillery, missiles, and air-defense systems, expected to be delivered in the coming weeks, according to the report. The equipment will be deployed in northern Syria, while avoiding actions that could escalate tensions with Israel in the country’s southwest.
The SDF, which controls much of northern and eastern Syria, is dominated by the YPG, the Syrian branch of the PKK, a designated terrorist organization by Türkiye, the United States, and the European Union.
Ankara’s planned arms deliveries are reportedly intended to support Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaeda commander who led the uprising that toppled Bashar al-Assad late last year. Sharaa, now heading a transitional administration, is seeking to unify the country and rebuild its institutions.
The military supplies are expected to help Sharaa reconstruct Syria’s armed forces, after much of the country’s military infrastructure was destroyed by Israeli airstrikes soon after Assad’s ouster.
Assad, who ruled Syria for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia in late 2024, ending the Baath Party’s rule that began in 1963. The transitional government under Sharaa officially took office in January.
On March 10, the Syrian presidency announced an agreement to integrate the SDF into state institutions, emphasizing the country’s territorial integrity and rejecting separatism. However, the SDF has reportedly violated the agreement multiple times, undermining reconciliation efforts.
Türkiye reiterated its support for Syria’s unity and sovereignty on Thursday, with the National Defense Ministry underscoring the importance of integrating the SDF into the Syrian army as part of efforts to stabilize the country.
Speaking at a weekly press briefing in Ankara, ministry spokesperson Zeki Akturk said the Syrian government “continues its diligent efforts toward restructuring all its institutions and bodies, as well as establishing stability and security in the country.”
“In this context, we are continuing our efforts to enhance coordination and cooperation with the Syrian Ministry of Defense to strengthen Syria’s security capacity and contribute to regional stability by clearing it of terrorism,” Akturk said.
“In line with the stability and security of Syria, we remain committed to supporting the principle of one state and one army,” ministry sources added, stressing that the integration of the SDF terrorist organization into the Syrian army remains a “critical priority.”
Sources also said Türkiye continues close coordination with its Syrian counterparts and is “closely monitoring the process” as part of broader efforts to restore lasting security and prevent the reemergence of terrorist threats along its southern border.
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