29.05.2025 12:01
In a statement regarding the recent developments in Syria from sources within the Ministry of National Defense, it was stated, "An invitation has been received for the Coordination Unit to operate in Damascus/Syria from the New Syrian Government. The Coordination Unit, consisting of Turkey, Syria, and Jordan, began its duties in Syria on May 19. We have also assigned personnel for the Coordination Unit."
The Press-Public Relations Advisor and Spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense, Rear Admiral Zeki Aktürk, held a press briefing.
Ministry sources provided evaluations on current issues following the meeting. The sources reported that a new unit has been established in Damascus to combat the terrorist organization ISIS. The coordination unit, consisting of Turkey, Syria, and Jordan, began its operations on May 19. Turkey has also assigned personnel to this unit.
COUNTER-TERRORISM
Rear Admiral Zeki Aktürk's statements are as follows:
Our Turkish Armed Forces continue their fight against terrorism with great courage and sacrifice, determined to protect our borders and ensure the defense and security of our country on land, at sea, and in the air. In this context, in the last week alone, 156 individuals, including 6 members of terrorist organizations, have been captured while attempting to cross our borders illegally, and 1,184 individuals have been prevented from crossing the border. Thus, since January 1, the number of those captured while attempting to cross our borders illegally has reached 2,335, and the number of individuals prevented from crossing the border has reached 34,811. As part of the "tunnel destruction" activities carried out in the Syrian Operation Areas since January 8, approximately 132 kilometers of tunnels in the Tel Rifaat region and 108 kilometers in the Manbij region have been destroyed to date.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN SYRIA
Sources from the Ministry of National Defense provided the following information in response to questions regarding recent developments in Syria:
"Previously, a decision was made to establish a joint Operation Center by 5 countries to combat the ISIS terrorist organization. An invitation was received for the Coordination Unit to operate in Damascus/Syria from the new Syrian government, and the Coordination Unit, consisting of Turkey, Syria, and Jordan, began its duties in Syria on May 19. We have also assigned personnel to the Coordination Unit.
The process of consensus between the new Syrian administration and the terrorist organization SDF is being closely monitored in terms of ensuring regional stability and security. While we support every positive step taken to establish peace and tranquility in Syria, we emphasize that this process should be conducted transparently, inclusively, and in a manner that takes into account the legitimate security concerns of all parties.
Our position regarding the necessity of having only the Syrian army as a single armed structure in Syria and the integration of the SDF terrorist organization into the Syrian army remains unchanged.
Even if there are disruptions and delays in the process, the outcome will not change. It should be reiterated that decentralization and separatist agendas in Syria will not be allowed in cooperation with the Syrian government."
TURKEY'S INCLUSION IN THE EUROPEAN SECURITY ACTION FUND (SAFE)
Ministry sources provided the following evaluations in response to questions regarding Turkey's inclusion in the European Security Action Fund (SAFE):
"Parallel to the war in Ukraine and current global developments, efforts to enhance Europe's defense capacity have gained momentum. In this context, the SAFE Regulation, which foresees the provision of a €150 billion fund to member countries for defense procurement by the EU, was adopted by the EU Council on May 27, 2025.
While the SAFE Mechanism is generally open to our country's participation, the regulation includes many restrictive measures against non-EU member countries. Additionally, unfortunately, during this process, we have witnessed attempts to exclude non-EU allies, including our country, from the EU defense and security architecture or to use them as a bargaining chip.
We believe that European security can only be strengthened through inclusivity, strategic foresight, and collective solidarity, and that a visionary approach is needed for this. In this context, we believe that our country's defense capabilities will make significant contributions to European defense and security. This has also been expressed by many of our Allies during the negotiation process of the SAFE Regulation.
In this framework, our efforts to develop defense collaborations with our open-minded and foresighted European Allies, either within or outside the SAFE Mechanism (especially with our advanced capabilities in areas such as unmanned aerial vehicles, air defense systems, armored vehicles and land platforms, electronic warfare and radar systems, munitions and rocket systems, and naval systems) will continue in the upcoming period."