Ahmed al-Saras transitional president and Tayyip President Erdogan are expected to discuss today in Ankara a common defense agreement, which includes the creation of Turkish air bases in Central Syria and the training of the new Syrian army, four sources said. theme.
Ankara seeks to play a major role in Nea Syria, filling the gap left by the main supporter of overthrown President Bashar al-Assad, Iran, and expanding Turkish influence, which can trigger a rivalry with Arab states and Arab states. Causes concern in Israel, Reuters notes.
Sources – one Syrian security forces official, two sources in foreign security forces based in Damascus and a regional senior intelligence official – spoke on the condition that they were not named, as they had no authorization to speak in the media.
It is the first time that evidence of a strategic defensive settlement by new Syrian leaders have come to light, including details of additional Turkish bases.
In the context of the pact, Turkey could create new air bases in Syria, use the Syrian airspace for military purposes, and take a leading role in the training of the new Syrian army, sources said.
The new Syrian leadership has dissolved its army and its various guerrilla factions and is working to integrate them into a new military administration.
Sources said the deal is not expected to be finalized today.
Turkish air bases in Syria
The Regional Intelligence Service official, the Syrian Security Forces official and one of the sources in foreign security forces based in Damascus said that talks may include the creation of two Turkish bases in the Central Syrian desert, known as Badillas.
An official in the Syrian Presidency told Reuters that Sarah would discuss “the training of the new Syrian army from Turkey, as well as new areas of development and cooperation” with Erdogan, without specifying where development will take place.
The Turkish Presidency and the Syrian Ministry of Defense did not immediately respond to a request to comment on this information.
Turkish Presidency Director Fahretin Altun said yesterday, Monday, that Erdogan and Sarah will discuss the latest developments in Syria and possibly common measures to rebuild the Syrian economy and achieve stability and security.
A Turkish Ministry of Defense official, who is aware of the talks between the two defense ministries, told Reuters that he has no information on Turkish bases in Syria and training Syrian troops in the context of a possible defense pact.
Turkey’s role in air defense
The Syrian Security Forces official and one of the sources in foreign security forces based in Damascus said the bases will allow Turkey to defend the airspace of Syria in the event of future attacks.
Assad’s other main supporter, Russia, is also in talks with the new Damascus government on the future of its two military bases in Syria, a naval base in Tartu and an air base near the port of Latakia, announced yesterday. Monday, the Kremlin.
In an interview in January, Syrian Defense Minister Muraf Abu Kasra had told Reuters that the country’s new leaders would seek to build strong links in the area and that “through these ties, we will be able to build our military power”.
If these bonds lead to a partnership “to equipment, education, air defense and other issues – we will welcome it,” Abu Kasra said, without nameing Turkey.
The Regional Intelligence Service Officer said the potential sites for air bases are Palmyra Military Airport and the Syrian Army T4 base, both in Homs province.
Message to Kurdish fighters
The official said Ankara wants to create bases there as a message to the Kurdish fighters in northeast Syria, the People’s Protection Forces (YPG).
Ankara considers them an extension of the Kurdistan Labor Party (PKK), an organization that is considered terrorist by both Turkey and the US.
Turkey has threatened with a military attack on the YPGs, but has not progressed as talks on the fate of the Kurdish forces are held.
Turkish defense ministry official told Reuters that Turkey and Syrian military delegations exchanged views last week on “what can be done on defense and security issues, especially in the joint battle against terrorist organizations that are creating a threat to so much as a threat to Syria. And for Turkey. “
“Our meetings will continue in the context of the needs that will occur in the coming period,” the official added.
Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guiller said in December that Turkey is “ready to provide the necessary support if the new Syrian government requests it”.
Ankara may discuss and reassess the issue of Turkey’s military presence in Syria with the new Syrian government “when the necessary conditions are made,” Guler had then said.
