Turkey has confirmed it is responding to a formal request from Syria’s interim government to provide military support aimed at enhancing the country’s defense capacity and combating terrorist threats, Turkish defense officials said this week. The announcement comes amid renewed instability in southern Syria, where violent clashes and Israeli airstrikes have escalated tensions across the region.
Turkish Defense Ministry sources speaking at a press briefing in Ankara, stated that the request from Damascus includes military training, advisory services, and technical assistance. The goal, they said, is to rebuild Syria’s national defense infrastructure, particularly in the wake of the Islamic State group’s continued presence and other destabilizing forces.
“We are working in close cooperation with Syria’s new government,” one official said during a press briefing in Ankara. “Following an official request, preparations are underway to provide support aligned with Syria’s territorial integrity and long-term stability.”
The request was made in the aftermath of significant unrest in the southern province of Sweida, where clashes erupted between Druze militias and Bedouin tribal groups earlier this month. The violence, which has left dozens dead and hundreds displaced, prompted Israeli airstrikes targeting government forces in Sweida and the Syrian Ministry of Defense in central Damascus. Israel said the strikes were intended to protect Druze communities.
Ankara’s Evolving Role in Post-Assad Syria
Turkey had previously supported armed opposition factions against Bashar al-Assad. Since the December 2024 ousting of al-Assad and the rise of interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Ankara has taken a more engaged approach, aligning with regional powers to stabilize the country.
“As long as our brotherly country, Syria, requests it, Turkey will continue to stand firmly by its side,” said Ömer Çelik, spokesperson for Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). “The heroic Turkish armed forces will fulfill this both to assist our Syrian brothers and to prevent instability there, which is vital for Turkey’s national security.”
Turkish officials have also acknowledged that a long-term defense agreement with Syria is under discussion. Asked about the prospect of a formal defense pact between Ankara and Damascus, US Ambassador to Turkey and Syria Envoy Tom Barrack told The Associated Press in an exclusive interview on Monday that Washington has “no position” on such an arrangement.
“It’s not in the U.S.’s business or interest to tell any of the surrounding nations with each other what to do,” Barrack was quoted as saying by AP. His remarks came after Israel’s recent airstrikes on Syria triggered renewed diplomacy and a US-brokered ceasefire backed by Turkey and Jordan.
On Tuesday, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan issued a stern warning to any actors seeking to divide Syria along ethnic or sectarian lines. His comments appeared aimed at both Israel and Kurdish groups, particularly the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), whose integration into the Syrian national army remains a contentious issue.
“Any attempt to fragment Syria will be considered a direct threat to Turkey’s security,” Fidan said. “We will not allow groups to use the current instability as a tactical opportunity to pursue autonomy or secession.”
Fidan also accused Israel of pursuing a policy of destabilization through its actions in Syria. “Israel wants a divided Syria—an unstable, weakened Syria that poses less of a regional challenge,” he told reporters in Ankara. “God willing, we will prevent this policy from being realized.”
Turkey considers the SDF and its main component, the YPG, to be affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which Ankara, the U.S., and the EU have designated a terrorist organization. While the interim Syrian government and the SDF reached an agreement in March to integrate Kurdish-led forces into the national army, implementation has stalled. Turkish officials said they expect the SDF to fully comply with the terms of the agreement and warned that any deviation would be closely monitored.
Rising Tensions Between Turkey and Israel
The situation in Syria has also intensified friction between Turkey and Israel. In addition to the recent airstrikes, Israeli officials have publicly accused Turkey of attempting to build a “protectorate” in Syria—a charge Turkish officials deny. In April, Israel reportedly carried out strikes in five Syrian cities, including multiple targets near the Hama air base, where Turkey is believed to have strategic interests.
Despite these tensions, Turkish officials insist their military engagement in Syria is aimed at supporting the country’s sovereignty and rebuilding national institutions. “Our efforts are focused on restoring stability, not projecting influence,” a senior Turkish official said.
As diplomatic efforts continue and ceasefires remain fragile, Turkey’s deepening involvement in Syria reflects a broader redefinition of its regional strategy—one that prioritizes border security, counterterrorism, and institutional partnership with Syria’s transitional government.
