Al-Sharaa, Erdogan Discuss Establishing New Turkish Military Bases in Central Syria
According to the sources, the proposed deal would allow Turkey to establish additional military airbases in Syria, secure access to Syrian airspace for military operations, and take a lead role in training the new Syrian army.

Feb. 4, 2025
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are expected to discuss a mutual defense agreement in Ankara on Tuesday, including the potential establishment of new Turkish airbases in central Syria and the training of Syria’s new army, according to Reuters.
Speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, a Syrian security official, two foreign security sources based in Damascus, and a senior regional intelligence official confirmed that the meeting marks the first time Syria’s new leadership has disclosed details of a potential strategic defense arrangement with Turkey.
Proposed Military Bases and Turkish Airspace Access
According to the sources, the proposed deal would allow Turkey to establish additional military airbases in Syria, secure access to Syrian airspace for military operations, and take a lead role in training the new Syrian army.
However, the sources also noted that a final agreement is not expected to be reached during Tuesday’s meeting.
A regional intelligence official, a Syrian security official, and a foreign security source based in Damascus said: stated that discussions would include the creation of two Turkish military bases in the Syrian desert region known as Badiyat al-Sham, located in central Syria.
Expanded Military Training and Deployment Areas
A senior Syrian presidential official told Reuters that al-Sharaa is set to discuss Turkey’s role in training the new Syrian army, as well as potential new areas of Turkish military deployment and cooperation, though specific locations were not disclosed.
Meanwhile, both the Turkish presidency and Syria’s Ministry of Defense declined to comment on the matter.
A Turkish defense official, familiar with ongoing discussions between the two defense ministries, told Reuters that he had no knowledge of any plans involving Turkish bases in Syria or joint military training as part of a potential defense agreement.
Turkey’s Strategic Interests and Kurdish Concerns
A senior regional intelligence official, a Syrian security source, and a foreign security official based in Damascus revealed that the bases under discussion would enable Turkey to monitor and defend Syrian airspace in the event of future security threats.
On Monday, the Kremlin stated that Russia is also engaged in discussions with the new administration in Damascus regarding the status of its two existing military installations in Syria the Tartus naval base and the Hmeimim airbase near Latakia.
The regional intelligence official further suggested that the proposed locations for Turkish airbases include the Tadmur Military Airport and the T4 Airbase, both situated in Homs province.
A Turkish Ministry of Defense official told Reuters that Turkish and Syrian military delegations exchanged views last week on joint defense and security measures, particularly collaborative efforts against terrorist organizations posing threats to both Syria and Turkey.
As discussions progress, al-Sharaa’s visit to Ankara is expected to shape the trajectory of Turkish-Syrian military cooperation, with far-reaching implications for Syria’s internal security and regional stability.
Ankara views the establishment of these bases as a strategic message directed at the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), whom Turkey considers an extension of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)—a group designated as a terrorist organization.
Despite previous threats by Turkey to launch a military offensive against the SDF, Ankara has postponed such actions pending ongoing negotiations regarding the future of Kurdish forces in Syria.