Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: Interceptor missiles fired in an attempt to shoot down the drone
IOF Spokesperson: Sirens sounded amid suspected "enemy aircraft" infiltrating the Eilat area
Israeli media: "Israel" won the battle but lost the war strategically and politically
Israeli media: Ben Gurion Airport's airspace closed to air traffic following missile launch from Yemen
Israeli media: Echoes of several explosions heard in central occupied territories
United States: A federal judge temporarily blocks President Donald Trump from deploying 200 Oregon National Guard troops to Portland
Syria: Local sources for Al-Mayadeen: An IOF patrol consisting of 4 vehicles entered the village of Suissa in the southern countryside of Quneitra
Trump on Truth Social: When Hamas confirms, the Ceasefire will be IMMEDIATELY effective
Trump on Truth Social: After negotiations, 'Israel' has agreed to the initial withdrawal line, which we have shown to, and shared with, Hamas
An al-Quds Brigades field commander to Al Mayadeen: We tell the enemy soldiers that we are not far from you, and you will see our faces whenever we decide to, because we are waging a harsh and complex battle of attrition

Turkey reaffirms military support to Damascus, rules out withdrawal

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 4 Jun 2025 18:23
3 Min Read

Turkey is providing military training and support to Syria's new armed forces and has no immediate plans to withdraw troops, says Defense Minister Yasar Guler, stressing ongoing de-confliction talks with "Israel" are not steps toward normalization.

Listen
  • x
  • Turkish troops deploy in Syria's northern region of Manbij, Syria, Oct. 14, 2019. (AP)
    Turkish troops deploy in Syria's northern region of Manbij, Syria, Oct. 14, 2019. (AP)

Turkey is strengthening its military presence in Syria by providing training and advisory support to the new Syrian armed forces, with no immediate plans to withdraw or relocate its troops, Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler told Reuters.

In a written statement, Guler stressed that Turkey remains committed to aiding Syria’s new government, which came to power after opposition groups, some formerly backed by Ankara, removed Bashar al-Assad from power in December.

“We have started providing military training and consultancy services, while taking steps to increase Syria's defence capacity,” Guler said, though he did not elaborate on specific measures.

With more than 20,000 Turkish troops stationed in Syria, Guler said it was premature to discuss any troop withdrawal or redeployment.

Strategic priorities

Turkey currently controls large areas of northern Syria and has established multiple military bases following several cross-border operations targeting Kurdish militants it considers "terrorist threats."

Related News

Syrian National Bloc slams 2025 elections as 'unconstitutional'

Tom Barrack, disrupting decades of diplomatic practice: FT

“This can only be re-evaluated when Syria achieves peace and stability, when the threat of terrorism in the region is fully removed, when our border security is fully ensured, and when the honourable return of people who had to flee is done,” Guler said.

However, secret negotiations between Turkish and Syrian Kurdish officials have been underway since Spring 2024, aimed at ending decades of conflict between Ankara and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and addressing Turkish concerns about Kurdish autonomy in northeast Syria, Al-Monitor reported.

Despite continued military operations targeting the PKK and Syrian Kurdish infrastructure, Ankara's approach is evolving. Turkish forces have scaled back assaults since March, with a US-brokered ceasefire around the Tishreen Dam holding for over two months.

Preserving Syria’s territorial integrity, combating terrorism, and supporting the stability of the country remain Ankara's stated objectives.

Tensions with 'Israel' over aggression on Syria

Turkey’s expanded presence and influence in Damascus has raised concerns from "Israel", especially following its latest airstrikes on southern Syria late Tuesday.

While tensions have grown, Guler confirmed that Turkey and "Israel" are continuing de-confliction talks aimed at avoiding military incidents.

“These are technical-level meetings to establish a de-confliction mechanism to prevent unwanted events,” Guler explained. “Our efforts to form this line and make it fully operational continue. Yet it should not be forgotten that the de-confliction mechanism is not a normalisation.”

Since late 2023, Ankara has increasingly condemned "Israel's" military actions in Syria and its ongoing assault on Gaza, accusing it of destabilising the region and obstructing Syrian recovery efforts.

Read more: Israeli-Turkish talks on Syria a sort of Sykes-Picot: Israeli media

  • Syria
  • Turkey
  • Israel
  • military aid
  • Yasar Guler

Most Read

Hamas fighters stand in formation ahead of a ceremony to hand over Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, Gaza Strip, Feb. 22, 2025. (AP)

Hamas reviews Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan as PIJ rejects

  • Palestine
  • 30 Sep 2025
Iraq at a crossroads: A new war front?

Iraq at a crossroads: A new war front?

  • West Asia
  • 30 Sep 2025
A Hamas fighter in combat fatigues stands before the ceremony for the handover of Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, February 22, 2025 (AP)

Hamas responds to Trump plan, backs Gaza withdrawal, exchange

  • Politics
  • 3 Oct 2025
Trump’s 21-point Gaza plan vs Netanyahu’s demand for Hamas defeat

Trump vows 'something special' in ME; Israeli delegation in chaos

  • US & Canada
  • 28 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
UK Jewish leaders denounce 'Israel' invite to Tommy Robinson
Palestine

UK Jewish leaders denounce 'Israel' invite to Tommy Robinson

Araghchi says Iran committed to diplomacy despite Western escalation.
West Asia

Araghchi: Iran committed to diplomacy despite Western escalation

Tom Barrack, Trump's unconventional Middle East envoy: FT
West Asia

Tom Barrack, disrupting decades of diplomatic practice: FT

Musk announces Beta launch of Grokipedia, his AI rewrite of Wikipedia
US & Canada

Musk announces Beta launch of Grokipedia, his AI rewrite of Wikipedia

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS