LONDON: Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra met with his Turkish counterpart, Yasar Guler, in Ankara on Tuesday to discuss ways to enhance bilateral relations between Syria and Turkiye.
Abu Qasra and Guler discussed military cooperation and broader strategic ties, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency.
Damascus built a close relationship with Turkiye following the collapse of the Bashar Assad regime in December 2024. Ankara supported groups opposed to the Assad rule and hosted over 3.5 million Syrian refugees after the civil war started in 2011.
Last month, the Syrian Arab Army took part in the Efes 2026 land, naval and air forces drills in Turkiye alongside 50 countries from Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. The Syrian Army’s participation alongside NATO members is the first time since the fall of the Assad regime.
Turkiye deployed approximately 10,388 military personnel in the drills, alongside 1,305 soldiers from various countries, including the US, Germany, France, and the UK.
