Türkiye is seeking to establish an airbase and a naval base in Syria to “bolster counter-terrorism efforts, especially in the fight against ISIS,” revealed media close to the Turkish government.
Security sources said the armed forces are determined to set up the two bases as part of a comprehensive plan to restore security in Syria, reported the Türkiye newspaper.
The effort will take place in cooperation with the Damascus government and receive direct support from the Turkish government. Support will take the shape of training and restructuring the Syrian army and security forces.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa discussed defense cooperation between Ankara and Damascus during a meeting in Istanbul on Saturday.
Israel has voiced alarm over the possibility of an expanded Turkish military role in Syria. Ankara and Tel Aviv, however, agreed on a “deconfliction mechanism” in Syria during talks in Azerbaijan to avoid any tensions between them.
