The Turkish military attaché officially began his duties in Damascus today, Wednesday, March 5.
The Ankara embassy in Damascus stated that the Turkish military attaché in Syria, led by Lt. Colonel Hasan Göz, has started his new tasks.
The embassy confirmed the continuation of “close” military cooperation between Syria and Turkey, according to what was reported by the Turkish Anadolu Agency.
A week ago, the Turkish Ministry of Defense announced that it was about to send its military attaché to Syria in the coming days, indicating that efforts to enhance Syria’s defensive and security capabilities are being made in close collaboration and coordination with the new administration in Damascus.
The ministry spokesperson, Zeki Aktürk, mentioned during a press briefing on February 27 that the visit of the Syrian president for the transitional period, Ahmed al-Sharaa, and the accompanying delegation to Turkey at the beginning of last month created a “new and significant dimension” in relations between the two countries.
He added that Turkey’s battle against “terrorism” is still ongoing, noting that the work to appoint a military attaché in Syria is still in progress, and his appointment to the position will be announced as soon as possible, according to what the official Turkish news agency “IHA” reported.
Aktürk also stated that a technical delegation from the Turkish Ministry of Defense is scheduled to go to Syria in the near future as part of efforts to “develop bilateral military relations.”
The Turkish Ministry of Defense previously revealed a roadmap to improve the capabilities of the Syrian army on February 6.
The Anadolu Agency cited the Ministry of Defense stating that the joint roadmap with the new Syrian government came in line with the latter’s requests, and concrete steps will be taken.
He added that it is premature to discuss these matters, and tangible steps will be taken to improve the capability of the Syrian army.
Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime on December 8, 2024, Turkey has continuously strengthened its relations with the new Syrian administration on multiple levels.
Alongside politics and economics, military cooperation between the two sides is evident through discussions regarding Turkey’s intention to establish military bases in Syria amid continuing security and political challenges in the Syrian field.
On February 4, Reuters reported that among the topics discussed between Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdoğan were talks about a mutual defense agreement that includes the establishment of Turkish air bases in central Syria and training the new Syrian army.
According to the agency, the agreement would allow Turkey to establish new air bases in Syria and use Syrian airspace for military purposes, in addition to its role in training new Syrian forces.
An intelligence official from the region, a Syrian security official, and a foreign security source residing in Damascus indicated that the talks include establishing two Turkish bases in the Syrian Badia.
A source in the Turkish Ministry of Defense told the TRT Haber channel that news such as “claims that Turkey will establish two new military bases in Syria” should be approached with caution.