By South China Morning Post | Created at 2024-12-15 10:11:04 | Updated at 2024-12-15 12:40:31
2 hours ago
The new administration in Syria should be given a chance to govern following their constructive messages, and Turkey stands ready to provide military training if such help is requested, Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler said.
Nato member Turkey backed the Syrian rebels who toppled President Bashar al-Assad last weekend, ending a 13-year civil war. Turkey reopened its embassy in Damascus on Saturday, two days after its intelligence chief visited the Syrian capital.
“In their first statement, the new administration that toppled Assad announced that it would respect all government institutions, the United Nations, and other international organisations,” Guler told reporters in Ankara in comments authorised for publication on Sunday.
“We think that we need to see what the new administration will do and to give them a chance.”
When asked whether Turkey was considering military cooperation with the new Syrian government, Guler said Ankara already had military cooperation and training agreements with many countries.
“[Turkey] is ready to provide the necessary support if the new administration requests it,” he added.
