After inking military pact, Turkey to provide Syria with weapons, training
The initial phase of Turkey-Syria military cooperation will address building a regular army and basic defensive needs, analysts say.
ANKARA — Turkey aims to transfer weapons systems to Syria, a Defense Ministry source said Thursday, and analysts believe the initial shipments will focus on defensive capabilities to help stabilize the country and support the creation of a regular army.
The day before, Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler and his Syrian counterpart, Murhaf Abu Qasra, inked a memorandum of understanding, laying the foundation for a substantive military cooperation deal between the two countries.
The memorandum aims to “ensure the supply of military equipment, weapons systems, logistical materials and related services,” the Defense Ministry source told reporters on Thursday.
Analysts say the focus of the military cooperation between the two countries in the initial phase will be the establishment of a regular army as a cornerstone of long-term stability in Syria.
