Turkey Considers Establishing Military Base in Syria at Request of New Damascus Government
Ankara explores plans for a joint operations center and army training base as regional powers back Syria’s transition and fight against ISIS.
Watan-Sources in the Turkish Ministry of Defense stated on Thursday that Ankara is continuing to study the establishment of a base in Syria at the request of Damascus, with the aim of training the Syrian army, in line with the requirements of the new government there.
In press statements in the capital Ankara, the sources referred to the ministerial meeting held in Jordan, with the participation of the foreign ministers of Turkey, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon, along with the host country, on March 9, to discuss the situation in Syria.
They confirmed that the five countries agreed to support Syria in its war on terrorism, especially the terrorist organization ISIS. They said: “In line with the demands of the new Syrian government, and in agreement with the concerned countries, consensus was reached on the establishment of a joint operations center.”
Turkey Eyes Training Base in Post-Assad Syria
They added: “Preserving the unity of Syrian territory, extending state authority by the new government across the entire country, and establishing stability and security are of great importance to Ankara. In this context, Turkey is continuing to study the establishment of a base for training purposes, in line with the requirements of the new government and to enhance the capabilities of the Syrian army.”
The sources stressed that all activities carried out by Turkey in Syria are coordinated in advance with the relevant parties and that all necessary security measures are taken.
On December 8, 2024, Syrian factions took control of the capital, Damascus, thereby ending 61 years of the bloody rule of the “Ba’ath Party” and 53 years of Assad family rule.
On January 29, the new administration announced the appointment of Ahmad al-Sharaa as the president of Syria during the transitional phase, along with other decisions, including the dissolution of armed factions, security agencies, the People’s Assembly (parliament), the “Ba’ath Party,” and the suspension of the constitution.
