Newsletters
Turkish training bases will initially be limited to northern Syria, according to informed Syrian sources speaking to Al-Sharq news outlet, as part of advanced discussions between Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on a joint defense agreement.
The sources confirmed that Turkish "training bases" will begin at Menagh military airport in Aleppo countryside, then later expand to Ras al-Ain north of Hassakeh, with arrangements for establishing a larger Turkish base at T4 airport in central Syria planned for a later stage.
The agreement phases begin with establishing military infrastructure to train the new Syrian army, with plans to avoid directly announcing the establishment of Turkish bases as previously planned before Israeli strikes on T4 and Shayrat air base in central Syria.
"Sources reported that the agreement initially includes the establishment of training bases for the new Syrian army, followed by the activation of radar and air defense systems and drones as part of the training programs. This training agreement thus constitutes a gateway and cover for the establishment of Turkish bases in central and northern Syria," according to the Al-Sharq's reporting.
This training agreement would serve as a gateway and cover for establishing Turkish bases in central and northern Syria. "Arrangements will be made at a later stage to establish a larger Turkish base at the T4 airport in the center of the country," Al-Sharq's sources added.
The agreement will be presented as a Syrian request to Türkiye within a defense cooperation framework, through which Ankara would provide logistical and technical support, according to the sources.
The arrangement aims to reduce escalation within the framework of recent understandings with several parties, including coordination between Ankara and Moscow on this matter.
President Erdogan, speaking to journalists on his return flight from Azerbaijan, where he attended independence day celebrations, stressed the importance of preserving Syria's territorial integrity while addressing the broader regional situation.
"Syria's territorial integrity, unitary structure, and national unity must absolutely be preserved. We had previously expressed that we view the reached agreement positively. But we see that the SDF still continue with stalling tactics. They must abandon this," Erdogan stated.
The president noted that they are closely monitoring the implementation of decisions made, emphasizing that the main issue is implementing the words in accordance with the timetable in the agreement.
Turkish Defense Ministry sources confirmed that a Coordination Unit consisting of Türkiye, Syria, and Jordan began operations in Syria on May 19, with Türkiye assigning personnel to the coordination unit following an invitation from Syria.
"The agreement process between the new Syrian administration and the SDF terrorist organization is being carefully monitored in terms of ensuring regional stability and security," ministry sources stated.
Ministry sources emphasized their position against decentralization efforts, stating: "Decentralist, separatist agendas will not be allowed in Syria, in cooperation with the Syrian government."
1 min read
3 min read
