Skip to main content

Turkish defense chief warns Syrian rebels against ‘provocation’

As the Turkish president eyes a meeting with his Syrian counterpart, the Turkish defense chief warns Ankara-backed armed groups against “provocations” amid ongoing Syrian protests against the Damascus-Ankara thaw.  
Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar is seen seated at the start of the North Atlantic Council meeting on the final day of the NATO defense ministers' meeting at the NATO headquarters, Brussels, Belgium, Oct. 13, 2022.

As Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan eyes a meeting with his Syrian counterpart, the Turkish defense chief on Friday warned the Syrian armed groups backed by Turkey against “provocations,” in response to the opposition groups' protests against the recent Ankara-Damascus rapprochement.

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar reiterated that Turkey would not “say yes to any decision or a meeting that would be against or would harm, trouble or violate the rights [of the Syrian opposition]."

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.