Syria’s New President and Turkey’s Defence Pact
Background
Syria’s transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are expected to discuss a joint defence pact in Ankara on Tuesday, including establishing Turkish airbases in central Syria and training for Syria’s new army, four sources familiar with the matter said.
Turkish Airbases in Syria
The regional intelligence official, the Syrian security official, and one of the Damascus-based foreign security sources said the talks would include setting up two Turkish bases in Syria’s vast central desert region, known as the Badiyah. An official in Syria’s presidency told Reuters that Sharaa would discuss Turkey’s “training of the new Syrian army, as well as new areas of deployment and co-operation” with Erdogan, without specifying the deployment locations.
Turkey’s Air Defence Role
The senior regional intelligence official, the Syrian security official, and one of the Damascus-based foreign security sources said the bases under discussion would allow Turkey to defend Syria’s air space in case of any future attacks. Assad’s other main backer – Russia – is also in talks with the new Damascus administration about the fate of its two military bases in Syria, a naval base in Tartus and an air base near the port city of Latakia, the Kremlin said on Monday.
Message to Kurdish Fighters
The official said Ankara was keen to set up bases there as a message to Kurdish fighters in northeast Syria, known as the People’s Protection Units (YPG). Ankara views them as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has been waging an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984 and is deemed a terrorist group by both Turkey and the US.
Conclusion
The potential defence pact between Syria and Turkey could have significant implications for the region, with Turkey positioning itself to play a major role in the new Syria. The pact could see Turkey establish new air bases in Syria, use Syrian airspace for military purposes, and take a lead role in training troops in Syria’s new army.
FAQs
Q: What is the purpose of the joint defence pact between Syria and Turkey?
A: The pact aims to establish Turkish airbases in central Syria and train for Syria’s new army.
Q: What are the potential implications of the pact for the region?
A: The pact could see Turkey establish new air bases in Syria, use Syrian airspace for military purposes, and take a lead role in training troops in Syria’s new army.
Q: How does this pact affect the fate of Kurdish fighters in northeast Syria?
A: Ankara views the Kurdish fighters as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has been waging an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984 and is deemed a terrorist group by both Turkey and the US.