Syria Seeks Türkiye’s Support to Enhance Defense Against Terrorist Groups

(MENAFN) The Syrian government has formally requested Türkiye’s assistance to enhance its defense capabilities and combat terrorist groups, particularly ISIS (Daesh), according to officials from the Turkish National Defense Ministry on Wednesday.

"In line with this request, we continue to work to provide training, consultancy, and technical support to increase Syria's defense capacity,” ministry representatives stated.

They emphasized, “Türkiye's primary goal is to support Syria's political unity and territorial integrity and to lead efforts to achieve lasting peace in the region.”

When asked about the recent violence in Syria’s Suwayda province and Israel’s airstrikes on Damascus, officials highlighted that Israel’s escalated military actions have aggravated tensions between the Druze community in southern Suwayda and the Syrian government.

Türkiye remains firmly committed to safeguarding Syria’s territorial sovereignty, promoting stability, and combating terrorism, the sources confirmed.

On July 13, fierce clashes erupted between Bedouin Arab tribes and armed Druze factions in Suwayda. The conflict intensified, followed by Israeli air raids targeting Syrian military sites and infrastructure, including in the capital, Damascus.

Although Israel justified its operations by claiming to protect Druze communities, most Syrian Druze leaders have publicly condemned foreign interference and reaffirmed their allegiance to a united Syria. A ceasefire was declared on Saturday.

Since the removal of former regime leader Bashar al-Assad on December 8, 2024, Syria’s new government has been actively working to restore order across the country.

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