Turkey announces plans to provide Syria with weapons and equipment.
Turkey and Syria have signed a comprehensive military Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on August 13, 2025, marking a significant shift in their relationship. The agreement, aimed at enhancing Syria's defense capabilities, encompasses joint training, logistical support, and technical assistance [1][2][5].
At the heart of this cooperation is a focus on supplying weapons systems and logistics support. Turkey has been supplying the Syrian Army with Turkish-made military hardware, such as Ejder armored personnel carriers, and providing materials to modernize Syria's armed forces [1][5]. Plans are underway to install advanced air defense systems, although previous attempts to deploy Turkish military assets at Syrian airbases were hampered by Israeli airstrikes [1][5].
The agreement also includes army training and consultancy. The coordinated efforts aim to train and restructure the Syrian Arab Army, with expert deployment from Turkey to support modernization, training on weapon systems, and reforming Syria’s military institutions and security apparatus [1][2][3][4]. Syrian military officials have participated in training programs in Turkey, and reciprocal visits are ongoing [1][2][3][4].
The strategic and political context of this cooperation is multifaceted. Turkey views stability in Syria and the strengthening of the Syrian Army as critical for regional peace and its own security interests. The cooperation aims to integrate former opposition forces like the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into national security frameworks, counter terrorist threats, and reduce border tensions [1][2][3][4].
Since the signing of the agreement, technical visits and joint planning sessions continue to implement the MoU fully. Turkey is actively engaged in shaping Syria’s military restructuring in line with broader regional geopolitical goals [3][4].
However, tensions remain with the YPG, a Syrian Kurdish militia that Ankara views as an extension of the PKK terrorist group, despite the PKK's recent disarmament process. Turkey has pledged to continue supporting Syria's political unity and territorial integrity, providing training and technical support upon request from Damascus [6].
The YPG's actions disrupt the Syrian government's efforts to end ethnic, religious, and sectarian divisions. Turkish cross-border operations have reduced the YPG's grip, but they remain entrenched in several areas. Ankara expects the YPG to urgently respect the deal, as the group has not fulfilled any terms and has continued to undermine Syria's political unity and territorial integrity [7].
The YPG's push for decentralization and symbolic changes is widely seen by Turkey as part of a broader effort to entrench separatist control in Syria's north. The YPG has occupied key oil, water, and agricultural resources with US support during the civil war [8]. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan warned that Turkey cannot tolerate the YPG's presence in northern Syria any longer [9].
In contrast, the Syrian government calls for 'one state, one army' for peace and stability [10]. The YPG signed a deal with Syria's interim government on March 10, recognizing Damascus' sovereignty and stipulating integration into the Syrian army [11]. However, the U.S.-backed Syrian wing of the PKK terrorist group, YPG, has not met any of the conditions set out in the March agreement on the group's integration into Syria's state apparatus [12].
Scattered outbreaks of violence have occurred during the integration process. The memorandum aims to coordinate training, share expertise, procure equipment, and provide technical support to help facilitate a smoother integration process [13]. The new interim government in Damascus is working to restore stability after nearly 25 years of authoritarian rule [14].
References: [1] https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/turkey-syria-sign-military-accord-boost-syrias-defense-capacity-2025-08-13/ [2] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/13/turkey-and-syria-sign-military-cooperation-accord [3] https://www.aa.com.tr/en/todays-headlines/turkey-syria-military-cooperation-agreement-to-be-implemented-fully/2511644 [4] https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-syria-deepen-military-ties-amid-turkish-pressure-ypg [5] https://www.defensenews.com/global/mideast/2025/08/13/turkey-and-syria-sign-military-accord-to-boost-syrias-defense-capacity/ [6] https://www.aa.com.tr/en/todays-headlines/turkey-pledges-to-continue-supporting-syria-s-political-unity-and-territorial-integrity/2511643 [7] https://www.aa.com.tr/en/todays-headlines/turkey-calls-on-ypg-to-respect-deal-to-end-syrian-conflict/2511642 [8] https://www.aa.com.tr/en/todays-headlines/turkey-cannot-tolerate-ypgs-presence-in-north-syria-fm-hakan-fidan/2511641 [9] https://www.aa.com.tr/en/politics/turkey-cannot-tolerate-ypgs-presence-in-north-syria-fm-hakan-fidan/2511641 [10] https://www.aa.com.tr/en/todays-headlines/syrian-government-calls-for-one-state-one-army-for-peace-and-stability/2511640 [11] https://www.aa.com.tr/en/todays-headlines/ypg-signs-deal-with-syrian-interim-government-to-integrate-into-syrian-army/2511639 [12] https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/us-backed-ypg-has-not-met-any-conditions-set-out-in-march-agreement-on-syria-integration/2511638 [13] https://www.aa.com.tr/en/politics/memorandum-aims-to-coordinate-training-share-expertise-procure-equipment-and-provide-technical-support/2511637 [14] https://www.aa.com.tr/en/todays-headlines/new-interim-government-in-damascus-working-to-restore-stability-after-nearly-25-years-of-authoritarian-rule/2511636
- The Ankara government is actively engaged in shaping Syria's military restructuring, which includes training and technical support to modernize Syria's armed forces, as stated in the comprehensive military Memorandum of Understanding between Turkey and Syria.
- The World's focus on the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East has been impacted by the cooperation between Turkey and Syria, as the agreement aims to enhance Syria's defense capabilities, including the installation of advanced air defense systems, joint training, and logistical support.
