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Turkey Offers Military Training to New Rebel-Led Syrian Government, Aims to Dismantle PKK/YPG

Dec 15, 2024, 10:50 AM

Turkey is prepared to offer military training to the new Syrian administration, following the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad by the rebel coalition led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, if such assistance is requested. Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler emphasized the need to give the new government a chance, noting their commitment to respecting government institutions, the United Nations, and other international organizations. The new administration has also pledged to report any evidence of chemical weapons to the OPCW. Turkey's primary objective in Syria remains the dismantling of the PKK/YPG terrorist organization, a goal shared by the new Syrian government. Güler has communicated this priority to the United States, expecting them to reassess their stance. Additionally, Turkey aims to preserve Syria's territorial integrity, complete the political process peacefully, and secure its borders from terrorist elements like the Islamic State. The minister also addressed the future of Russian military presence in Syria, indicating that while there are no signs of a complete withdrawal, Russia is consolidating its forces in Tartus and Latakia. Turkey has offered to provide control of the Al-Hol camp, where ISIS families are detained, to the US, but the offer was rejected. The SDF, backed by the US, is seen by Ankara as a terrorist group.