By Tuvan Gumrukcu
ANKARA (Reuters) -Turkey will present weapons methods and logistical instruments to Syria underneath a navy cooperation accord signed on Wednesday, a Turkish Defence Ministry supply mentioned, including that Ankara would additionally prepare the Syrian military in utilizing such tools if wanted.
Turkey, a NATO member, has been certainly one of Syria’s most important international allies for the reason that ousting of President Bashar al-Assad final yr. It has vowed to assist prepare and restructure Syria’s armed forces, rebuild the nation and its establishments, and assist efforts to guard Syrian territorial integrity.
In a primary step in direction of a complete navy cooperation accord that they’ve been negotiating for months, Turkey and Syria inked a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday after conferences between their international and defence ministers, and intelligence chiefs.
“The memorandum goals to coordinate, plan navy coaching and cooperation, present consultancy, info and expertise sharing, make sure the procurement of navy tools, weapon methods, logistical supplies and associated companies,” the Turkish Defence Ministry supply instructed reporters on Thursday.
Final month an official on the Turkish Defence Ministry instructed Reuters the Syrian military was in want of restructuring after years of battle, citing shortcomings in self-discipline, coaching, organisation, and modernisation.
Turkey has been rising impatient with what it calls the dearth of implementation of a March deal between Damascus and the Kurdish-led, U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces to combine the SDF into the Syrian state equipment.
Ankara has warned of navy motion in opposition to the SDF, which it considers a terrorist organisation and has focused in previous cross-border operations. It expects the Syrian authorities to deal with its safety issues however says it reserves the fitting to mount an offensive if wanted.
‘PROVOCATIVE AND SEPARATIST’
Turkey has additionally mentioned that clashes between the SDF and Syrian authorities forces earlier this month and a convention held by the SDF calling for a overview of Syria’s constitutional declaration threatened the nation’s territorial integrity.
The Turkish Defence Ministry supply mentioned the SDF had not met any of the situations of the March deal and reiterated Ankara’s accusation that its “provocative and separatist” actions have been undermining Syria’s political unity.
“Our expectation is full compliance with the settlement that was signed and its pressing implementation within the discipline,” the supply added.
Turkey nonetheless has troops stationed in northern Syria, the place it controls swathes of land alongside their shared border after a collection of navy operations in opposition to the SDF previously.
The SDF, which Ankara views as an extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Staff Celebration (PKK) militant group, controls a lot of Syria’s northeast. Whereas the PKK has been engaged in a technique of disbandment and disarmament, the YPG militia – spearheading the SDF – has mentioned the choice to disband doesn’t apply to it.
(Reporting by Tuvan GumrukcuEditing by Ece Toksabay and Gareth Jones)