The Turkish Defense Ministry said on Thursday that Ankara may assist Syria if asked, as the Syrian army announced a major operation would be carried out against the U.S.-backed terrorist group YPG in Aleppo.
The ministry said in a statement that Syria was conducting an operation in Aleppo to restore public order and ensure the safety of civilians, noting that it was entirely the work of the army.
"The security of Syria means the security of Türkiye. Türkiye is closely following the developments. Our country supports Syria's fight against the terrorist group under the principle of "one state, one army" for Syria's unity and territorial integrity. In this context, if Syria asks for assistance, necessary assistance will be provided," the ministry underlined.
Last November, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was quoted on Monday as saying that Türkiye, as it did in the past, would take the necessary steps against threats to its national security through Syria.
Türkiye and Syria revived ties after the fall of the Baathist regime in late 2024. Ankara has pledged support to Syria on its path to recovery after the Assad regime’s brutal attacks left the country in ruins. Ankara has been providing training, advisory and technical support to Syrian security forces at the request of Damascus since a deal was signed in August.
Separately, Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş told reporters on Thursday that they were monitoring the developments in Syria "minute by minute" and Türkiye prioritized Syria's building of a new order and a new system inclusive of all segments of society, while opposing any attempt that would harm Syria's territorial integrity.
He noted that they hoped for a quick end to clashes in Aleppo and renewed Türkiye's call for compliance with the March 10 deal between the YPG and Damascus. He was referring to a landmark agreement involving the integration of the YPG into Syrian security forces.
However, the clashes erupted shortly after a reported deadline Damascus had given the YPG for the implementation of the deal. The two sides met last week in Damascus for talks over the deal, but Syrian officials speaking to the media have said that the talks have been inconclusive.
