Turkey Sets Up Center to Coordinate Military Operations in Syria

Turkey Sets Up Center to Coordinate Military Operations in Syria
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Turkey Sets Up Center to Coordinate Military Operations in Syria

Turkey Sets Up Center to Coordinate Military Operations in Syria

Turkey has created a unified command center to oversee and coordinate military operations in northern Syria.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan chaired the Supreme Military Council’s most recent meeting on July 23, during which he issued the decision to create the center, a well as executive decisions on the distribution of new leadership and the determination of the positions of those who were promoted.

The center, dubbed “Peace Shield Operations Center”, is to be based in Serinyol, a town in the central district of Antakya in Hatay Province, which borders Syria.

Also, 17 generals and admirals were promoted to a higher rank, 51 colonels were promoted to generals and admirals, while the tenure of 35 generals and admirals was extended for one year and 294 colonels’ terms in office was extended for two years. The decision will be effective as of August 30.

Erdogan assigned the newly promoted Rear Admiral (LH) Hakan Oztekin to lead the center, which is set to coordinate the operations and activities of the Turkish forces in the country’s military operations in northern Syria (Euphrates Shield, Olive Branch, Peace Spring, and Spring Shield).

According to pro-Erdogan Yeni Safak newspaper, the appointment decisions point to sources of threat to Turkish security, especially in Syria and Iraq, and the Turkish forces’ upcoming activities.

In a report published on Friday, the newspaper added that the new decisions and appointments indicate that cross-border operations in northern Syria and Iraq are of great importance.

It noted that Major General Levent Ergun, who headed the military aspect of Idlib talks as head of operations at the General Staff, was appointed as commander of the Sixth Mechanized Infantry Division and the Joint Special Force Command in Adana and would lead operations in the Euphrates Shield area in northern Syria.

The coordination of operations in northern Syria will now be under the direction of the new unified center, the report stressed.

Meanwhile, tension has escalated on Idlib fronts witnessing clashes among regime forces, Turkish forces, and armed opposition factions.

Regime forces continued their intense missile strikes on areas within the Latakia and Idlib countryside, targeting areas in Jabal al-Akrad, northern Latakia, and Jabal al-Zawiya, southern Idlib.

Families from Jabal al-Zawiya towns fled to safer areas in northern Idlib, fearing a military operation in the area.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has reported that a military convoy of Turkish forces entered from Kafr Lossin border crossing with the Iskenderun Brigade in northern Idlib, containing four tanks, 35 military vehicles and headed towards the Turkish forces’ sites in Jabal Al-Zawiya



Syrian Prisoners File Puts Lebanon in a Bind, Legal Frameworks Needed for Resolution

Overcrowding in prisons and delays in trials in Lebanon lead to prolonged detention in police stations. (Getty) 
Overcrowding in prisons and delays in trials in Lebanon lead to prolonged detention in police stations. (Getty) 
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Syrian Prisoners File Puts Lebanon in a Bind, Legal Frameworks Needed for Resolution

Overcrowding in prisons and delays in trials in Lebanon lead to prolonged detention in police stations. (Getty) 
Overcrowding in prisons and delays in trials in Lebanon lead to prolonged detention in police stations. (Getty) 

The issue of Syrian prisoners in Lebanese custody has once again come to the forefront, following reports suggesting dissatisfaction from Damascus over Beirut’s delay in repatriating detainees. The leaked information also hinted at potential political and economic repercussions if the matter is not resolved.

According to these reports, the Syrian administration expressed frustration over Lebanon’s alleged foot-dragging on prisoner transfers and even warned of measures such as restricting Lebanese freight movement across Syrian territory and closing border crossings.

The reports triggered a wave of confusion in Lebanon’s political circles. However, Syrian officials were quick to deny the claims, and Lebanese authorities sought to ease tensions through direct communication.

A senior Lebanese official told Asharq Al-Awsat that “swift contacts” between Beirut and Damascus confirmed the Syrian administration’s denial of the allegations.

“The issue of Syrian prisoners remains a priority for Lebanon’s political, judicial, and security institutions and is being addressed through legal channels,” the official said. He emphasized Lebanon’s readiness to cooperate in extraditing Syrian nationals, but only in accordance with established legal and regulatory frameworks.

The controversy stemmed from a report by Syria TV claiming that Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa voiced deep dissatisfaction over the matter during a meeting with Lebanon’s Grand Mufti, Sheikh Abdul Latif Daryan. The report alleged that Al-Sharaa accused Lebanese authorities of neglecting what he described as a humanitarian issue and hinted at punitive measures.

However, sources familiar with the Mufti’s visit to Damascus categorically denied that the prisoner issue was discussed. “At no point during the meeting was the topic of Syrian prisoners raised,” one source told Asharq Al-Awsat, citing the official statement from Dar al-Fatwa, which made no mention of the issue.

There are currently more than 2,000 Syrians held in Lebanese prisons, including roughly 800 facing charges related to terrorism and security offenses. Many of them have repeatedly appealed to Syrian authorities for intervention, seeking to be transferred back home to complete their legal proceedings.

A source from Lebanon’s prison administration, under the Ministry of Justice, revealed that a joint judicial-security committee had reviewed the cases of hundreds of Syrian detainees eligible for repatriation. However, the process has stalled due to legal obstacles.

“No prisoner can be handed over without a final conviction,” the source said. “Extradition is not applicable to those still on trial, particularly if the offense was committed on Lebanese soil and involved Lebanese victims.”

Lebanon and Syria have signed multiple judicial agreements, including one on the extradition of wanted individuals. However, no deal currently exists for the transfer of convicted prisoners. According to legal sources, such an agreement would require coordination between the two countries’ justice ministries and eventual ratification by the Lebanese Parliament.

If signed, the agreement could pave the way for the repatriation of up to 370 convicted Syrian nationals currently serving sentences in Lebanon.

Syrian Justice Minister Mazhar Al-Wais is expected to visit Beirut soon for talks with Lebanese officials. The Lebanese side is optimistic that the visit could yield progress toward a formal agreement on prisoner transfers. “Lebanon has a vested interest in the repatriation of these detainees - but only under lawful and transparent procedures,” the official said. “This is not something that can be handled arbitrarily by simply sending buses to prisons.”

Tensions inside Lebanon’s prison system have escalated in recent months, particularly at Roumieh Central Prison, where “Building B” houses Islamist detainees, including Syrians accused of terrorism-related offenses. The facility has seen repeated unrest, with prisoners demanding a general amnesty and improved conditions.

On February 12, more than 100 Syrian detainees launched a hunger strike that lasted two weeks. The strike ended following a visit by a delegation from the Syrian embassy, which assured detainees that Damascus would prioritize their cases.

A Justice Ministry source confirmed that communication is ongoing between the Lebanese and Syrian justice ministries. “We have expressed full readiness to cooperate on the prisoner file,” the source said. “Once all legal procedures are in place, we’re prepared to begin the process of transferring convicted Syrian nationals to their home country.”