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Middle East Eye
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Syria asks Turkey for defence support following Sweida violence
Syria's interim government has asked Turkey for support to strengthen its defence capacities, Turkish officials announced on Wednesday. Speaking on condition of anonymity, Turkish defence officials also confirmed that Syria is seeking Turkey's assistance to combat "terrorist organisations", including the Islamic State group. "As long as our brotherly country, Syria, requests it, Turkey will continue to stand firmly by its side," Omer Celik, spokesperson for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling party, told reporters. 'The heroic Turkish armed forces will fulfil this, both to assist our Syrian brothers and to prevent instability there, which is vital for Turkey's national security,' he added. Turkey is already training and advising Syrian armed forces, and told Reuters in June that it has no plans to withdraw Turkish troops currently stationed in Syria. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Having long supported Syrian opposition to Bashar al-Assad, Turkey has become a key supporter of the interim Syrian government led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, which has emerged following Assad's fall in December. The request follows violent clashes between Druze and Bedouin militias in Syria's southern Sweida region last week that resulted in over 1,000 deaths, and precipitated further Israeli intervention within Syrian territory. The 'bigger strategic problem' Turkey has been a strong critic of the recent Israeli interventions in Syria, including those near a strategic air base in the city of Hama, where Israel has accused Turkey of exploring military interests. 'The bigger strategic problem in the region is Israel's attempt to invade the region,' Erdogan said on 20 July. 'Israel strives to set the entire region on fire, but Syria's stance cautiously reined in this process,' he added. However, Turkey has so far been hesitant to offer full-scale defence support to the Syrian government, holding talks in April with the Israeli government over the establishment of a deconfliction line aimed at avoiding direct confrontation between the Turkish and Israeli militaries. An American-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Syria was announced by US ambassador to Turkey and special envoy to Syria Tom Barrack on 19 July. Barrack told Associated Press earlier this week that the US has 'no position' on a potential defence pact between Syria and Turkey. Syrian officials could not be immediately reached for comment.
Al-Ahram Weekly
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Syria asks Turkey for defense support after sectarian clashes, Turkish officials say - Region
Syria's interim government has requested Turkey's support to strengthen its defence capabilities, Turkish officials said Wednesday, following sectarian violence over the past two weeks that increased tensions in Syria and drew further Israeli intervention. Syria has also sought assistance to combat 'terrorist organisations,' including the Islamic State group, said the defence officials, who spoke only on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss the issue publicly. Turkey, which has long expressed readiness to assist Syria, was working toward providing training, advisory services, and technical support to help strengthen Syria's defence capacity, the officials added. Syrian officials could not be immediately reached for comment. 'As long as our brotherly country, Syria, requests it, Turkey will continue to stand firmly by its side,' Omer Celik, spokesman for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling party, told reporters when asked to comment on the Syrian request. 'The heroic Turkish armed forces will fulfil this both to assist our Syrian brothers and to prevent instability there, which is vital for Turkey's national security,' he said. Tensions escalated in southern Syria last week when violent clashes erupted between Bedouin Arab tribes and minority Druze militias in Sweida province. The conflict triggered further Israeli airstrikes on convoys of government forces in Sweida and on the Ministry of Defence headquarters in central Damascus. The U.S. envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, announced a U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Syria on July 19, which allowed the Syrian government forces to go into Sweida and break up the fighting between the Druze and Bedouins. An earlier ceasefire between Druze factions and government forces broke down. After a second ceasefire, the government forces withdrew from Sweida, but fighting flared again between Druze and Bedouin groups. Ankara strongly supports Syria's interim government led by President Ahmad al-Sharaa and has been seeking a defence agreement with Damascus that could reportedly include establishing Turkish military bases on Syrian territory. Turkey backs the integration of Kurds in the Syrian army In an interview with The Associated Press earlier this week, Barrack said the U.S. has 'no position' on the prospect of a defence pact between Syria and Turkey. 'It's not in the U.S. business or interest to tell any of the surrounding nations with each other what to do,' he said. Ankara also backs an agreement reached between the interim Syrian administration and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF, to integrate into Syria's national army. Implementation of the deal has stalled, with a major sticking point being whether the SDF would remain as a cohesive unit in the new army or be dissolved completely. On Tuesday, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan warned Kurdish and other groups in Syria against exploiting the tensions to pursue autonomy, stating that any attempt to divide Syria would be viewed as a direct threat to Turkey's national security and could prompt intervention. Turkey considers the SDF as a terrorist organisation because of its association with the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, which has waged a long-running insurgency in Turkey. The Turkish officials said Turkey expects the SDF to follow through on its commitments under the agreement, adding that Turkey would be 'following' the situation. The situation in Syria has increased tensions between Turkey and Israel. In April, Israel struck five cities in Syria, including more than a dozen strikes near a strategic air base in the city of Hama, where Turkey reportedly has interests in having a military presence. Israel accused Turkey of trying to build a 'protectorate' in Syria. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Shafaq News
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Turkish officials applaud PKK disarmament ceremony
Shafaq News – Ankara On Friday, Turkish officials welcomed the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)'s symbolic disarmament ceremony in Al-Sulaymaniyah, describing it as a potential turning point in efforts to end decades of conflict. The event, held in the presence of PKK fighters, Kurdistan Region representatives, and officials from Baghdad and Ankara, involved the public burning of weapons by dozens of male and female militants. According to Turkish media outlets, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Leader Devlet Bahceli described the development as a key moment in ending 'separatist violence', acknowledging the role of PKK leadership in upholding recent commitments. Omer Celik, the Spokesperson for the Turkish ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), noted the ceremony marked the beginning of a full disarmament process, adding that further steps should follow swiftly 'to realize a future free from terrorism.' Earlier, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani reaffirmed the Kurdistan Region's commitment to supporting peace efforts and stressed the broader benefits of reconciliation for Turkiye and the region. The organizers linked the disarmament to a call by PKK founder Abdullah Ocalan and resolutions adopted during the party's 12th congress. Amid worsening regional instability, they called on political actors and international stakeholders to support peaceful and democratic solutions.
Rudaw Net
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Turkey's ruling party calls for dissolution of PKK affiliates
Also in Turkey Turkey's ultra-nationalist leader hails 'historic' PKK disarmament PKK says peace process cannot proceed unilaterally PKK disarmament ceremony to proceed without live broadcast: DEM Party Ocalan reaffirms PKK shift to peace, urges legislative oversight for peace process A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The spokesperson for Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) on Friday called for the full dissolution of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and its affiliated groups, following a symbolic disarmament ceremony held in the Kurdistan Region. 'The process of dissolving the PKK, including all its branches and illegal structures, and the burning/returning of its weapons must be completed within a short time,' AKP spokesperson Omer Celik said in a post on X. 'The first step has been taken in the process of destroying/handing over PKK weapons in line with the goal of a 'Terror-Free Turkey',' Celik said, adding that they will 'remain vigilant against all provocation.' The PKK and its umbrella organization, the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), are believed to be affiliated with a network of Kurdish resistance groups. These include the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK) in Iran and the Shingal Resistance Units (YBS) in northern Iraq. Turkey considers the People's Protection Units (YPG), which form the backbone of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) that functions as the de facto military of northeast Syria, to be an offshoot of the PKK, a designation the SDF has rejected. In February, SDF commander Mazloum Abdi said that PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan's call to disarm does not apply to the SDF. PJAK also announced in May that it would not disarm or dissolve, stating that Ocalan's message did not apply to them either. On Friday, 30 PKK fighters participated in a ceremonial disarmament widely seen as a gesture of goodwill. The group has said that further progress towards peace depends on the Turkish government taking reciprocal steps. The event followed a February appeal by Ocalan for the PKK to lay down its arms and pursue a political path to securing Kurdish rights in Turkey. In a video message released Wednesday, Ocalan reaffirmed the PKK's historic departure from armed conflict and repeated his call for the formation of a legislative commission to guide the peace process. On Thursday, the KCK expressed support for Ocalan's message but stressed that Ankara must also take concrete actions to ensure the success of the peace process. According to the PKK-affiliated ANF news outlet, KCK co-chair Bese Hozat was among the 30 PKK fighters - 15 women and 15 men - who laid down their arms during the ceremony in Sulaimani. Founded in 1978, the PKK initially sought an independent Kurdish state but has since shifted its focus toward securing greater cultural and political rights for Kurds in Turkey. The group is designated a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union.
Iraqi News
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
PKK disarmament expected to take months to complete
Baghdad ( – The spokesperson for Turkey's Justice and Development Party, Omer Celik, said on Wednesday that the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in northern Iraq is expected to give up its weapons within a few months following its decision to dissolve. In a statement to NTV, a Turkish news channel, Celik explained that the arms handover process will be overseen by a confirmation mechanism comprised of Turkish intelligence and military forces officers, according to Reuters. The disarmament process in Iraq must be finished within three to five months. If it surpasses this time frame, it will become vulnerable to provocations, according to Celik. Last week, the PKK declared that its fighters in northern Iraq will begin giving over their weapons. According to a statement released by the PKK, a group of militants will leave the mountains and surrender their weapons in an attempt to demonstrate their support for democratic politics and peace. The statement mentioned that a ceremony scheduled between July 10 and 12 in the city of Sulaymaniyah in the Kurdistan region of Iraq will mark the first tangible step toward disarmament. The PKK announced a ceasefire with Turkey earlier in 2025 in response to a call from its leader, Abdullah Ocalan, who is presently serving a life sentence, to dismantle and disarm the organization. Turkey, the United States, and the European Union have all designated the PKK, which has fought for decades, as a terrorist group. The party's decision to disband is an important milestone in regional geopolitics and could ease long-standing tensions, notably in Iraq's Kurdistan region, where PKK members remain.
