Turkey will provide weapons systems and logistics to Syria under a new military cooperation agreement signed on Wednesday. This was reported by a source from the Turkish Defense Ministry to “Reuters“, adding that Ankara is ready to train the Syrian army in the use of the equipment if necessary, BTA reports.
A member of NATO, Turkey has been among Syria's key foreign allies since the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad last year. Ankara has pledged to support the training and restructuring of the Syrian armed forces, the reconstruction of the country and its institutions, and efforts to preserve its territorial integrity.
As a first step towards a comprehensive military partnership that has been under negotiation for months, Turkey and Syria signed a memorandum of understanding after meetings between the foreign and defense ministers, as well as the heads of intelligence services.
“The memorandum aims to coordinate and plan military training and cooperation, provide consultations, information and exchange of experience, as well as ensure the supply of military equipment, weapon systems, logistical materials and related services,“ a Turkish Defense Ministry official said.
Ankara also warned Syrian Kurdish groups not to delay their integration with the authorities in Damascus. Last month, a Turkish military source told Reuters that the Syrian army needed a major overhaul due to years of conflict, citing gaps in discipline, training, organization and modernization.