Syrian Foreign Minister Denies Turkish Military Base Establishment Amid Limited Cooperation

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani acknowledged the presence of Turkish officers at a Syrian military base but denied any permanent Turkish military establishment in the country. He described the interaction as ongoing military cooperation limited to training and expertise exchange, emphasizing that Turkey has not begun to militarily entrench itself in Syrian territory.

Al-Shaibani strongly refuted claims of a Turkish base, stating there was no intention to create a permanent Turkish military presence or deploy forces at the site. He explained that the work at the base was confined to restoring the airport and its facilities, which had been damaged during the war, solely to serve the Syrian Air Force.

He further noted that the base was largely empty and not fully rehabilitated, arguing that linking recent attacks to a Turkish military presence was unsupported by the situation on the ground. The statements came amid heightened regional tensions and follow reports involving U.S. and Syrian interests.

The Syrian minister also criticized Israeli actions in the region, though details of these remarks were not elaborated in the report. The developments highlight the complex military and diplomatic dynamics involving Syria, Turkey, and other regional actors.