Turkish Military Delegation Discusses Defense, Security and Counterterrorism in Damascus

The foreign ministers, defense ministers, and intelligence chiefs of Türkiye and the Syrian administration during their meeting in Ankara in mid-January (Turkish Foreign Ministry)
The foreign ministers, defense ministers, and intelligence chiefs of Türkiye and the Syrian administration during their meeting in Ankara in mid-January (Turkish Foreign Ministry)
TT
20

Turkish Military Delegation Discusses Defense, Security and Counterterrorism in Damascus

The foreign ministers, defense ministers, and intelligence chiefs of Türkiye and the Syrian administration during their meeting in Ankara in mid-January (Turkish Foreign Ministry)
The foreign ministers, defense ministers, and intelligence chiefs of Türkiye and the Syrian administration during their meeting in Ankara in mid-January (Turkish Foreign Ministry)

A Turkish Defense Ministry delegation discussed defense and security cooperation with Syrian officials in Damascus, focusing on countering terrorist organizations.

The ministry announced that a military delegation visited Syria on Wednesday to discuss security, defense, and counterterrorism issues.

Zeki Aktürk, the ministry’s public relations and media advisor, said in a weekly press briefing on Thursday that the Turkish delegation held technical discussions in Damascus.

He emphasized that Türkiye will continue to support the Syrian people moving forward, as it has done until now.

Aktürk said Syria has been under a long history of repression, with parts of its territory still controlled by terrorist groups.

This includes the Kurdish People's Defense Units (YPG), which lead the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and are seen by Türkiye as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a group listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye and its Western allies.

Meanwhile, the US supports the YPG as an ally in the fight against ISIS.

Aktürk confirmed that Türkiye will continue to take action against terrorist groups, especially the PKK, the Syrian Democratic Union Party (PYD), the YPG (SDF), and ISIS, which threaten Syria’s unity and security in the region.

He added that Türkiye will not allow any terrorist groups or new realities to take hold in the region. Türkiye will work closely with Syria's new administration to strengthen Syria's defense and security, as well as ensure the safe return of Syrian refugees.

A Turkish Defense Ministry official also stated that the delegation in Damascus discussed defense and security cooperation, focusing on the fight against groups that threaten both Syria and Türkiye.

“Our talks will continue based on the needs identified,” the official said.

The official also mentioned that once Syria’s government is fully operational, Türkiye plans to meet with Syrian counterparts to establish defense and security cooperation.

This visit by the Turkish delegation to Damascus was noted as the first high-level contact with the Syrian administration to discuss defense, security, and counterterrorism issues.



Israeli Military Inquiry Says It ‘Failed to Protect’ Civilians on October 7

An aerial view shows members of the media during a visit to Kibbutz Kfar Aza, in the aftermath of a deadly attack by Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip, in southern Israel, October 15, 2023. (Reuters)
An aerial view shows members of the media during a visit to Kibbutz Kfar Aza, in the aftermath of a deadly attack by Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip, in southern Israel, October 15, 2023. (Reuters)
TT
20

Israeli Military Inquiry Says It ‘Failed to Protect’ Civilians on October 7

An aerial view shows members of the media during a visit to Kibbutz Kfar Aza, in the aftermath of a deadly attack by Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip, in southern Israel, October 15, 2023. (Reuters)
An aerial view shows members of the media during a visit to Kibbutz Kfar Aza, in the aftermath of a deadly attack by Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip, in southern Israel, October 15, 2023. (Reuters)

The Israeli military drastically underestimated the capabilities of Hamas before its attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, and "failed in its mission to protect Israeli civilians", a summary of an Israeli military investigation published on Thursday said.

The perception that Hamas was not interested in a full-scale conflict and that Israel would have ample warning if that changed went unchallenged for years, the summary said, resulting in a lack of preparedness and ability to respond to an attack.

"The belief was that Hamas could be influenced through pressures that would reduce its motivation for war, primarily by improving living conditions in the Gaza Strip," the report said.

The investigation looked at Israeli military strategy, battle behavior and intelligence before, during and after October 7, 2023, when Hamas fighters stormed southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

More than 48,000 people have been killed in Israel's assault on Gaza since then, according to Palestinian health officials. Much of the enclave has been laid waste and most of the territory's 2.3 million prewar population have been displaced multiple times, humanitarian agencies say. Around 400 Israeli soldiers have also been killed.

The military investigation was conducted as calls grow from within the Israeli opposition and civil society for a national inquiry into the government's failures on the deadliest single day in modern Israeli history.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said a national inquiry would only be appropriate after the conclusion of the war.

The first phase of a ceasefire that began on January 19 is due to expire in two days' time.

The military investigation found Israel had focused its intelligence and military efforts on other fronts, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, and relied too heavily "on intelligence, barriers, and defensive measures alone", and was thus caught by surprise.

Military commanders did not perceive an urgent threat leading up to October 7 attacks and did not reinforce the troops defending the border.

A statement from the Israeli Prime Minister's Office on Thursday said that the military had not given the prime minister the findings of its investigations into the war.