Türkiye and Syria Sign Military Cooperation Agreement Amid Deepening Strategic Ties
Ankara and Damascus signed a defense cooperation agreement covering joint training, technical assistance, and personnel exchanges. The deal comes as both nations escalate rhetoric against the SDF and Israel, signaling deepening strategic alignment.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Türkiye and Syria have signed a memorandum of understanding on joint military training and advisory cooperation, marking a significant step in the two countries’ rapidly warming relations following months of negotiations.
The agreement was signed Wednesday in Ankara by Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Güler and his Syrian counterpart Murhef Abu Qasra after high-level talks that also involved Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaibani and Intelligence Chief Hussein es-Seleme.
According to the Turkish Ministry of Defense, the discussions covered both bilateral and regional defense and security matters. The memorandum encompasses joint training programs, specialized skills instruction, technical assistance, and the regular exchange of military personnel.
The Syrian state news agency SANA reported that the deal aims to enhance the Syrian army’s capabilities, develop its institutions and structure, and support a comprehensive security sector reform process.
The signing came on the same day of a joint press conference between Syria and Türkiye’s FMs, where the Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan delivered a pointed message to the People’s Protection Units (YPG), accusing the group of undermining Syria’s stability and violating the March 10 integration agreement with Damascus.
“The YPG’s position is not a tenable one,” Fidan stated, alleging that the group continues to harbor fighters from abroad and poses an ongoing threat to Türkiye and the wider region. “We are beginning to see developments that we are finding it difficult to tolerate,” he warned, adding, “In an environment where Türkiye’s security demands are not met in Syria, we have no chance of staying idle here.”
Both Ankara and Damascus also used the occasion to present a united front against Israel, accusing it of destabilizing Syria. Fidan labeled Israel “the dark actor in Syria,” blaming it for fueling unrest in Sweida, while Syrian Foreign Minister al-Shaibani described the recent violence there as “sectarian strife fabricated by Israel” and reaffirmed that “the Druze are a fundamental part of the Syrian people.”
Al-Shaibani further rejected the recent Hasakah conference, saying it “does not represent the Syrian people” and violated the agreement for integrating the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into state institutions.
Fidan declared that “a new era has begun in Syria as of December 8” under the country’s new administration, emphasizing Türkiye’s support for Syria “so that it can stand on its feet.” He outlined a joint vision to solve political and security problems, boost economic recovery, and create favorable conditions for the gradual return of refugees.
