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We expect counterparts to respect treaties in northern Syria: Turkish Defense Ministry

We expect counterparts to respect treaties in northern Syria: Turkish Defense Ministry Rear Admiral Zeki Akturk, Press and Public Relations Advisor of the Ministry of National Defense (MoD), made statements at a press briefing held at the Ministry. (AA Photo)
By Newsroom
Dec 5, 2024 12:34 PM

The Turkish Ministry of National Defense on Thursday emphasized ongoing measures to maintain stability in northern Syria during its weekly press briefing.

Rear Admiral Zeki Akturk, Press Advisor for the Ministry, stated, “All necessary measures are being taken by our troops to maintain stability in the region, and we continue to closely cooperate and coordinate with our counterparts in the region from the very beginning of the process.”

The latest developments and the situation that has emerged are problems that have not been resolved for a long time due to the demands of the opposition and the regime’s disregard for them, and that stem from Syria’s internal dynamics.

Turkish Ministry of Defense
We expect counterparts to respect treaties in northern Syria: Turkish Defense Ministry
HAMA, SYRIA – DECEMBER 4: Armed groups, opposing Syria’s Bashar al-Assad regime, capture tanks and military vehicles belonging to the regime forces on the Idlib-Hama road, in Hama, Syria on December 4, 2024. Anti-regime armed groups clashed with Assad regime forces about 5 kilometers outside the city center of Hama in Syria and took control of 4 more villages.


( Kasim Rammah – Anadolu Agency )
We expect counterparts to respect treaties in northern Syria: Turkish Defense Ministry
HAMA, SYRIA – DECEMBER 4: Armed groups, opposing Syria’s Bashar al-Assad regime, continue to moving on towards Hama city center, in Hama, Syria on December 4, 2024. Anti-regime armed groups clashed with Assad regime forces about 5 kilometers outside the city center of Hama in Syria and took control of 4 more villages.
( Kasim Rammah – Anadolu Agency )
We expect counterparts to respect treaties in northern Syria: Turkish Defense Ministry
This picture shows a destroyed Syrian regime military aircraft on the tarmac at the Kweyris military airfield in the eastern part of Aleppo province on December 3, 2024. – A war monitor on December 1 said Ankara-backed groups seized control of the towns of Safireh and Khanasser southeast of Aleppo from government forces, and also took the Kweyris military airport. (Photo by Rami al SAYED / AFP)
We expect counterparts to respect treaties in northern Syria: Turkish Defense Ministry
People drive a motorcycle past abandoned Syrian army military equipment and vehicles, after anti-government fighters reached al-Safirah town southeast of Syria’s Aleppo city on December 3, 2024. – On November 27, the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) alliance led a major offensive snatching Syria’s second city Aleppo and dozens of towns and villages from government control, after years of regime gains in successive Russian-backed military campaigns. (Photo by Aref TAMMAWI / AFP)

Focus on northern Syria, regional coordination

Akturk addressed the recent activities of opposition groups in the Aleppo region, linking the developments to Syria‘s unresolved internal dynamics. He emphasized that Türkiye:

  • Supports Syria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
  • Adheres to agreements made regarding operational zones in northern Syria and expects counterparts to do the same.
  • Will not allow PKK/YPG to exploit regional instability.

In this context, we emphasize once again that we abide by the agreements we have made in the operation zones in northern Syria and expect our counterparts to do the same, that we support the territorial integrity of Syria, that we will not allow the PKK/YPG terrorist organization, which poses a grave threat to Syria’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and the security of our region, to benefit from the instability in the region, and that our position on combating terrorist organizations present in the region is clear.

Turkish Ministry of Defense

“The Turkish Armed Forces remain committed to combating terrorism and maintaining stability in the region,” he added.

Last Updated:  Dec 5, 2024 2:24 PM