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
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: One was killed, another injured in a raid by an Israeli drone on the city of Khiam in South Lebanon
London views possibility of setting fire to tanker in port of friendly country to Russia to damage port infrastructure, initiate an international probe: Moscow
One of London's scenarios involves setting up accident with 'undesirable' tanker in one of the bottlenecks of maritime communications: Russian foreign intelligence agency
London plans to organize major sabotage with tankers to declare transportation of Russian oil to international shipping: Russian foreign intelligence agency
UK intelligence agencies plan to use NATO allies to launch massive raid on 'Shadow Fleet': Russian foreign intelligence agency
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.

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

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

Damascus accuses Sweida factions of breaking ceasefire, sowing 'chaos'

“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

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

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