Turkey’s new military cooperation accord with Syria: A step towards stability or further conflict?

• Turkey and Syria signed a major military agreement, with the former providing weapons, training and logistical support to Syria’s army. This marks a big shift after years of tension, especially since Syria’s former leader, Bashar al-Assad, was ousted.
• Turkey, a NATO member, previously supported Syrian rebels and fought Kurdish forces, which it sees as terrorists. This deal signals a possible thaw in relations as Turkey now aims to help stabilize Syria.
• Assad’s regime collapsed quickly in late 2024 due to a rebel offensive led by groups like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and backed by Turkey. Syria’s economy was in ruins since it was heavily dependent on the illegal drug trade, and its military was weakened without enough Russian/Iranian support.
• While Syrians celebrated Assad’s downfall, challenges remain. A new interim government is trying to transition power, but tensions persist, especially with Kurdish-led forces (SDF), which Turkey views as a threat.
• The Turkey-Syria deal could help rebuild Syria’s military, but risks remain, including clashes with Kurdish groups and uncertainty over long-term peace. The world is watching to see if this leads to stability or more conflict.

In a significant development, Turkey has announced a new military cooperation agreement with Syria, aiming to provide weapons systems, logistical support and training to the Syrian army.

On Aug. 13, Turkey and Syria signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) outlining the framework for their military cooperation. This move, which comes after months of negotiations, marks a pivotal shift in the relationship between the two nations, particularly in the aftermath of the ousting of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

The agreement, which was finalized after meetings between Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler, Syria’s Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra and intelligence chiefs, aims to enhance coordination, military training and the sharing of consultancy, information and experience.

Additionally, the accord focuses on the procurement of military equipment, weapon systems and logistical materials, with Turkey offering to train Syrian forces in their use if necessary. This development follows a period of strained relations and mutual distrust.

Turkey, a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), has been a key player in the Syrian conflict. Ankara has supported various opposition groups and conducted military operations against Kurdish forces, which it considers to be terrorists. The new accord signals a potential thaw in these tensions, as Turkey seeks to play a more constructive role in stabilizing Syria.

The ousting of Bashar al-Assad: A rapid collapse

The recent ousting of President Bashar al-Assad marks a dramatic turn of events in Syria’s long-running conflict. The former president’s fall from power was swift and unexpected, culminating in his flight from Damascus as opposition forces surged into the capital.

The catalyst for this change was a major offensive launched by a coalition of opposition groups on Nov. 27, 2024. Known as Operation Deterrence of Aggression, the offensive was spearheaded by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and supported by Turkish-backed factions.

HTS, led by Abu Mohammed al-Julani, is a well-organized group that has controlled the Idlib governorate for years. Other groups like the National Front for Liberation, Ahrar al-Sham, Jaish al-Izza and the Nour al-Din al-Zenki Movement also participated in the operation, alongside Turkish-backed factions under the Syrian National Army umbrella.

The rapid collapse of the al-Assad regime can be attributed to several factors. Economically, Syria was in dire straits, with its economy heavily reliant on the illicit trade of the drug Captagon.

The population, including soldiers, faced immense hardship, leading to widespread discontent and desertion. Reports indicated that many soldiers and police officers abandoned their posts, surrendered their weapons and fled as opposition forces advanced.

Militarily, the al-Assad regime had been weakened over the years, heavily dependent on Russian and Iranian support. However, Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine and Iran’s and Hezbollah’s setbacks from Israeli attacks meant that these allies were unable to provide the necessary support to prop up the faltering Syrian army. (Related: Trump lifts U.S. sanctions on Syria, citing push for “stability and peace.”)

The announcement of al-Assad’s departure was met with jubilation in cities like Damascus and Homs. Opposition fighters fired into the air, people climbed atop tanks and crowds waved the flag of the revolution. Statues of al-Assad’s father, Hafez, were toppled, and public squares filled with people chanting anti-Assad slogans and honking car horns.

A path forward

However, the future of Syria remains uncertain. While there is potential for a new era of stability and cooperation, there are also significant challenges. The interim government, led by al-Jalali, has expressed a willingness to work with the opposition and transition to a new leadership chosen by the Syrian people. HTS leader al-Julani has stated that public institutions will remain under the supervision of the prime minister until they are officially handed over.

Turkey’s military cooperation with Syria also comes amid ongoing tensions with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish-led group backed by the United States. Turkey views the SDF as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), a militant group it considers a terrorist organization.

Clashes between the SDF and Syrian government forces earlier this month, along with an SDF conference calling for a review of Syria’s constitutional declaration, have raised concerns in Ankara about the country’s territorial integrity.

Turkey has warned of military action against the SDF and has criticized its “provocative and separatist” actions. The Turkish Ministry of National Defense source emphasized the need for full compliance with the March deal between Damascus and the SDF, which aimed to integrate the SDF into the Syrian state apparatus.

Despite these tensions, Turkey still has troops stationed in northern Syria, controlling swathes of land along the border.

The new military cooperation accord between Turkey and Syria represents a potential step towards stability, but it also raises questions about the region’s future. While the agreement aims to rebuild Syria’s armed forces and support its territorial integrity, the situation remains complex and fragile.

Watch this clip about the arrest of Hamas members in Syria.

This video is from the Cynthia’s Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

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Sources include:

Reuters.com

EuroNews.com

AlJazeera.com

Brighteon.com