Turkey offers military support to Damascus amid Aleppo tension

WISE NEWS PRESS / ANKARA, TURKEY

Turkey’s Ministry of National Defense (MSB) has announced that Ankara is prepared to provide necessary support to the Syrian government regarding the situation in Aleppo if a formal request is made by Damascus.

The announcement comes as clashes continue between the Syrian Arab Army and Kurdish-led forces in the northern city. Ankara reaffirmed its commitment to Syria’s unity and territorial integrity, emphasizing that the ongoing operations in Aleppo are being conducted entirely by the Syrian military. Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan pointed to external coordination between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Israel as the primary driver of the current escalation.

Fidan denounces Israeli 'divide and rule' policy

During a joint press conference in Ankara on January 8, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan criticized the coordination between the SDF and Israel, stating it undermines Syria’s sovereignty. Fidan argued that Israel’s regional policies are the most significant cause of the tension between the SDF and Damascus, accusing Tel Aviv of employing a "divide-and-rule" strategy that benefits no one in the region.

Fidan urged the SDF to cease its coordination with Israel and instead focus on integrating its forces with the Syrian national military. He emphasized that now is the time for national unity in Syria, noting that such a move would be in the best interest of Kurdish, Yazidi, and all other communities within the country.

Requirements for normalization in Aleppo

For the normalization of the situation in Aleppo, Ankara has outlined three specific expectations for the SDF. Minister Fidan detailed these steps as the withdrawal of SDF elements from the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh neighborhoods, the demilitarization of these areas of heavy weaponry, and the establishment of an environment where the central government can fulfill its administrative responsibilities throughout the entire city.

Ankara maintains that a "parallel administration" or a dual-governance system in a single city is unacceptable. Turkey remains in close contact with Damascus, Washington, and other relevant parties to ensure that any resulting agreements strengthen Syria's sovereignty rather than weakening it.

Regional security and the 10 March Agreement

Turkey’s stance is also influenced by its broader security concerns regarding the YPG, which it views as an extension of the PKK. Ankara is increasing pressure on the SDF to fully implement the integration agreement signed on March 10, 2025. This pact, supported by the new administration in Damascus, envisions the integration of SDF forces and resources into the Syrian state.

Recent messages from Abdullah Öcalan, sent from İmralı Prison, have also underscored the importance of the SDF adhering to the March 10 agreement. Fidan alluded to these messages, suggesting that while there is an opening for a "climate of peace" and clear instructions for disarmament, certain factions continue to resist this path in favor of external coordination.

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