Syria's al-Sharaa to hold talks with Erdogan on defense pact: Reuters
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The discussions are expected to cover Turkiye’s establishment of two military bases in Syria, deploy F-16 fighter jets, and provide military training and equipment to the new Syrian administration.
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Syria's de facto leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, meets with Walid Ellafi, Libyan minister of state for communication and political affairs, in the presidential palace in Damascus, Saturday, December 28, 2024. (AP)
Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan are set to meet in Ankara on Tuesday to discuss a potential defense agreement, Reuters reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.
The discussions are expected to cover Turkiye’s establishment of two military bases in Syria, the deployment of F-16 fighter jets, and the provision of military training and equipment to the new Syrian administration under a potential joint defense agreement.
Turkiye, a NATO member, has long supported Syria’s opposition forces. Ankara is now positioning itself as a key player in Syria. This shift could lead to geopolitical tensions with Gulf states and concerns from "Israel".
According to a senior regional intelligence official, a Syrian security official, and two foreign security sources based in Damascus, the talks mark the first revelation of Syria’s new leadership’s plans for strategic military collaboration with Turkiye. The proposed deal would allow Ankara to establish airbases in Syria, use Syrian airspace for military operations, and oversee the training of Syria’s restructured army.
Turkiye’s military presence in Syria
Sources indicate that negotiations will include setting up two Turkish airbases in Syria’s vast Badiyah desert region. A Syrian presidential official confirmed that discussions would focus on Turkiye's training of Syria’s military and “new areas of deployment and cooperation” without specifying locations.
While the Turkish presidency and Syria’s defense ministry have not commented on the matter, Turkish presidential communications director Fahrettin Altun stated on Monday that Erdogan and al-Sharaa would discuss "the latest developments in Syria and possible joint measures to rebuild Syria's economy and achieve stability and security."
A Turkish defense ministry official, when asked about reports of Turkish bases in Syria and military training, said he had no information on the matter.
The regional intelligence official and Syrian security sources stated that the proposed airbases would grant Turkiye the ability to "protect Syria’s airspace from potential future attacks."
Syria’s Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra previously stated that the country’s new leadership aims to forge strong regional alliances, saying, "Through these ties, we will be able to build our military force well." He added, “If these ties lead to a partnership on arming, training, air defense or other issues, we would welcome it," though he did not explicitly mention Turkiye.
The regional intelligence official said the two airbases under discussion were the Palmyra military airport and the T4 airbase, both located in the Homs province.
Message to Kurdish forces
Turkiye's interest in establishing military bases in Syria also serves as a message to Kurdish forces in northeastern Syria, particularly the People’s Protection Units (YPG), the official said. Ankara considers the YPG an extension of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which Turkiye and the United States classify as a "terrorist organization".
Turkiye has previously threatened military action against the YPG but has refrained from doing so while negotiations on the future of Kurdish forces continue.
A Turkish defense ministry official confirmed that Turkish and Syrian military officials recently exchanged views on "what can be done in defense and security matters, especially in the joint fight against terrorist organizations that pose a threat to both Syria and Turkey."
“Our meetings will continue within the framework of the needs that will occur in the coming period,” the official added.
In December, Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler expressed readiness to support Syria’s new leadership if requested, stating, "Turkey is ready to provide the necessary support if the new (Syrian) administration requests it." Guler also suggested that Ankara could reassess its military presence in Syria in coordination with the new government "when necessary conditions arise."
