Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler, second left, speaks with members of his delegation during a meeting at Nato headquarters in Brussels, on Thursday, February 15, 2024. (AP)

Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler announced on Sunday that his country is prepared to provide military training to Syria if the country’s new administration makes such a request.

Highlighting Ankara's extensive military cooperation agreements with various nations, Guler said, “We are ready to offer support upon receiving a formal request from the new administration in Syria.”

He also indicated that "Turkiye may reevaluate military presence in Syria when necessary conditions arise."

Addressing regional dynamics, Guler claimed that Turkiye has observed no evidence of a full Russian withdrawal from Syria and has not detected any signs of a resurgence of ISIS in the area.

Furthermore, he commented on Turkiye's stance on counterterrorism, saying that the country's conflict is not with the Kurdish population in Iraq and Syria but specifically with "terrorist groups".

He highlighted the effectiveness of Turkish military operations, claiming the neutralization of 2,939 terrorists since the beginning of the year, including those targeted in northern Syria and Iraq.

The minister stressed Ankara's commitment to eradicating the PKK/YPG organization in Syria, emphasizing that “sooner or later, this terrorist group will be eliminated. This aligns with the goals of Syria’s new administration and with our own objectives.”

Guler also called on the United States to reconsider its stance on the matter, stating, “We have communicated our priorities to our American allies and hope they will review their position accordingly.”

Dive deeper

Turkiye and the United States, both NATO allies, hold divergent interests regarding certain militant factions. In northern Syria, Turkish-backed groups have engaged in clashes with the Kurdish-led US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

The US-backed SDF is predominantly led by the People's Defense Units (YPG), which Ankara regards as an offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a group designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey.

During his recent visit to Ankara, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Turkish leaders to ensure ISIS does not regroup, asserting that the SDF remains focused on securing camps holding ISIS fighters. Turkish officials reportedly concurred, according to a US delegation representative.

Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan reiterated that eliminating the US-backed People's Defense Units (YPG) remains a strategic goal for Ankara, calling on the group’s leaders to withdraw from Syria.