Turkish Defense Ministry Announces Start of Training for Syrian Army

Training Launches Following Cooperation Agreement
About a month after signing a cooperation agreement between Turkey and Syria, the Turkish Ministry of Defense announced today, Thursday, the start of training for the new Syrian army, providing consultations and technical support, according to an official Turkish source. The source confirmed that this step comes within the framework of a military agreement signed last August between the defense ministries of both countries, which includes military training and the provision of weapons and logistical equipment.

Denial of Israeli Attacks on Turkish Equipment
In a related context, the Turkish source denied reports that Israel had launched attacks on Turkish equipment stationed in northern Syria, affirming that neither the Turkish personnel nor the equipment have experienced any changes. The denial came during a press briefing in Ankara, as reported by Reuters.

Background on Recent Military Events
In late August 2025, Israel carried out a raid on a military site in the Damascus countryside. An Israeli official at the time indicated that Israeli forces dismantled advanced Turkish devices planted in the area for espionage purposes, warning Syrian President Ahmad Al-Shara’s administration against “playing with fire and heeding Turkey’s orders.”

Strengthening Turkish-Syrian Cooperation
This training effort is part of Turkey’s support for the new Syrian army since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Ankara has hosted Syrian President Ahmad Al-Shara, alongside Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Sheibani and Defense Minister Marhaf Abu Qasra, as part of efforts to enhance military cooperation between the two countries.