On Wednesday, officials in Turkey's Defense Ministry announced that Syria officially sought assistance from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's administration to collaborate on security issues.
The officials noted, "We are assessing the possibilities of offering training, guidance, and technical aid" to strengthen Syria's defenses against ISIS and other radical factions.
Turkey and Syria have maintained complex relations, often marked by tension due to differing political and security interests. Turkey has historically supported opposition groups against the Assad regime, including backing rebel factions during the Syrian civil war, while also conducting military operations in northern Syria to counter Kurdish forces it views as a threat.
Following the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, Turkey has emerged as a key player in Syria's transitional phase, engaging with the new regime led by Ahmed al-Sharaa (also known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani), and it has been actively involved in the ongoing affairs there, to the point of rebuilding military bases for potential permanent presence of Turkish advisors in southern and central Syria.
This shift has opened avenues for cooperation, particularly in security and reconstruction efforts, as Turkey seeks to leverage its regional influence and become the main power broker in Syria, effectively replacing Iran and forming a new Sunni sphere of influence.
