Turkey Maintains 20,000 Troops, Trains Syrian Army Amid Ongoing Conflict

Turkey has begun providing military training and advisory support to Syria’s armed forces under the new Syrian government, signaling a shift from direct military operations to institutional support. Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler emphasized that Ankara’s priority remains preserving Syria’s territorial integrity, combating terrorist groups such as the YPG, and maintaining regional security. Despite this cooperation, Turkey has no immediate plans to withdraw its more than 20,000 troops stationed in northern Syria, with withdrawal contingent upon achieving complete peace, stability, border security, and the dignified return of Syrian refugees. Turkey’s growing influence in Damascus, following the ousting of former President Bashar al-Assad, has raised concerns from Israel and contributed to ongoing de-confliction talks between the two countries to avoid military incidents. Ankara continues to monitor the integration of the YPG-led Syrian Democratic Forces into the Syrian army, viewing the group as a terrorist threat. Overall, Turkey’s approach reflects a nuanced balance of supporting Syria’s sovereignty while safeguarding its own security interests in a complex regional environment.