Concerning
How Erdogan Plans to Expand Turkish Control in Syria
Turkey plans to send extensive military aid to northern Syria, including drones, artillery, and armored vehicles, while seeking to expand its strike range and limit Kurdish autonomy near the border, according to Turkish sources.
Turkey is set to deliver military aid to northern Syria in the coming weeks, reportedly intended for operations against Kurdish militants near the Turkish border, according to Turkish sources cited by Bloomberg News.
The planned aid package is said to include armored vehicles, drones, artillery, missiles, and advanced air defense systems, which will be deployed in northern Syria. Officials emphasized that the deployment will avoid the southwestern region to prevent tensions with Israel.
The new Syrian President, Ahmad al-Sharaa, reportedly requires support to rebuild the Syrian army after Israel destroyed much of Syria’s military arsenal following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad.
In addition to arms deliveries, Turkey and Syria are reportedly discussing a significant expansion of a nearly three-decade-old security agreement. The current deal allows Turkey to strike Kurdish militants operating up to five kilometers from the border. Ankara now seeks to extend the permissible strike range to 30 kilometers, six times the current limit.
Turkey also expects al-Sharaa to oppose Kurdish demands for greater autonomy, particularly in border regions, and to limit Kurdish access to oil and gas fields, concerned that revenues are being funneled to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).