Western media spreading misinformation on Türkiye’s alleged Syria base: Columnist
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) and Syrian interim President Ahmad Al-Sharaa (L) hold a press conference after their meeting at Presidential Complex in Ankara, Türkiye, Feb. 4, 2025. (AA Photo)
According to Turkish columnist Ozay Sendir, a recent report by a British news agency falsely claimed that Türkiye is planning to establish an air base in Syria and deploy around 50 fighter jets there. The report cited unnamed sources within the Syrian government.
The timing of the report is significant, as it coincided with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington and Syrian transitional government President Ahmad al-Sharaa’s visit to Ankara.
The first response came from the Israeli media outlet The Jerusalem Post, which listed potential locations for Türkiye’s alleged air base and suggested that Türkiye would be filling the power vacuum left by Iran and Russia.
Doubts over report’s accuracy
Skeptical of the report’s credibility, Sendir contacted security sources in Ankara. One source responded with a question:
“Do you know how long it takes for Türkiye’s fighter jets to reach Syrian airspace from the Diyarbakir and Malatya air bases?”
When Sendir admitted he did not, the source explained that the timeframe was too short to justify establishing a new air base, as Türkiye already has the necessary military presence in the region.
Another security source dismissed the claims outright, emphasizing that Türkiye’s current priority in Syria is ensuring the proper functioning of the state. While future security cooperation or training agreements could be considered, an air base is not under discussion.
Misinformation or strategic manipulation?
According to Sendir, Ankara sees such reports as falling into two categories:
- Misinformation due to inadequate sources or verification.
- Deliberate disinformation intended to serve a specific agenda.
He argues that this report falls into the latter category, suggesting it was strategically circulated to create confusion. He speculates that it may have been influenced by an intelligence agency’s misdirection or deliberate request.
Intelligence services from nations with far less regional influence than Türkiye will do whatever they can in these turbulent times. We are in a period where vigilance is crucial.
Ozay Sendir
