Turkey has reportedly reached an agreement to provide military equipment to the Syrian regime. In return, Damascus will permit Ankara to target the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) within Syrian territory, according to anonymous Turkish officials who spoke to Bloomberg on Friday. This development signals a significant shift in regional alliances and Turkey's ongoing efforts to counter groups it considers a threat.
The deal, as detailed by sources including Bloomberg and the Jerusalem Post, involves the transfer of armored vehicles, drones, artillery, missiles, and air-defense systems to Syria over the coming weeks. Syrian officials have reportedly agreed to deploy this equipment exclusively along its northern border, a measure intended to avoid further exacerbating already strained relations with Israel. The arrangement also aims to bolster the regime's influence, particularly in areas bordering Turkey that are currently under the control of the U.S.-backed SDF.
Turkey's primary objective is to target elements of the SDF affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the European Union. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan recently urged the SDF to abandon its "separatist agenda." Additionally, Ankara seeks to extend its permitted operational range against Kurdish groups in Syria from 5 kilometers to 30 kilometers and restrict the SDF's access to oil and gas fields, fearing the funds could benefit the PKK. This agreement follows recent clashes between Damascus and SDF forces in Aleppo, highlighting the complex and volatile dynamics in the region.
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