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Defense Ministry sources announced that Türkiye has signed a joint training and consultancy memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Syria, reinforcing its commitment to Syrian political unity and territorial integrity amid criticism of the terrorist organization YPG-led SDF's separatist activities.
"We have defended Syria's political unity and territorial integrity from the very beginning and will continue to defend it. In this context, with the Joint Training and Consultancy Memorandum of Understanding signed yesterday, we have taken our desire one step further," Defense Ministry sources stated during a weekly press briefing on Thursday.
Ministry sources strongly criticized the SDF terrorist organization for failing to comply with the terms of an agreement signed with the Syrian government on March 10. The sources noted that the group has been continuing efforts that would undermine Syria's political unity and territorial integrity.
"Since the memorandum signed between the Syrian government and the SDF terrorist organization on March 10, 2025, the SDF terrorist organization has not fulfilled any of the agreement conditions and has continued its attempts to disrupt Syria's political unity and territorial integrity," ministry sources said.
The sources specifically condemned separatist rhetoric expressed by SDF at a conference held in Hassakeh on Aug. 8, stating these comments violated the organization's agreement with the Syrian government.
Ministry officials emphasized support for the Syrian government's unified approach to governance, contrasting it with what they described as the SDF's divisive tactics.
"While the Syrian government displays an inclusive and integrative understanding that will end all ethnic, religious and sectarian divisions within the country's borders, the provocative and divisive attitudes of the SDF terrorist organization are causing the process to fail," the sources stated.
They praised Syrian government calls for "one state, one army," describing these as "essential for the peace and stability environment that has been awaited in the region for many years."
"Our expectation is full compliance with the signed memorandum and its implementation in the field as soon as possible for the construction of a stable, peaceful, secure and terror-free Syria," ministry sources added.
Regarding the joint training and consultancy MoU signed by Defense Minister Yasar Guler and his Syrian counterpart Murhaf Abu Qasra, ministry sources outlined the agreement's scope.
"With this signature, another significant step has been taken in the field of cooperation. With this memorandum, coordination and planning of military training and cooperation, consultancy and information and experience sharing, provision of military equipment, weapons systems, logistical materials and related services in line with defense needs, and providing technical support and training for their use when needed are targeted," the sources explained.
They emphasized that Türkiye would continue supporting Syria's counterterrorism efforts using Turkish Armed Forces' knowledge, experience and expertise while helping increase Syria's defense and security capacity.
Defense Ministry Press and Public Relations Advisor and Ministry Spokesperson Rear Admiral Zeki Akturk also addressed broader regional issues during the briefing, criticizing Israeli policies in the region.
"Israel poses a risk to the region's peace and stability with every step it takes to implement its genocidal and expansionist policies. Israel is deepening the humanitarian crisis by making Gaza uninhabitable and forcing Palestinians to migrate from their own lands," he noted.
"In this context, we call on all responsible parties and the international community to take binding and effective decisions," Akturk stated.
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