Ankara – Turkey is planning to establish military bases in Syria as part of a broader effort to combat the Islamic State (ISIS), according to a report published Sunday by the pro-government Turkish daily Türkiye Gazetesi.
Citing unnamed security sources, the paper said the Turkish Armed Forces intend to build air, land, and naval bases in Syria. The initiative reportedly aligns with Ankara’s goal of supporting the country’s new transitional government and helping it establish its security and military infrastructure.
The development comes days after Syrian transitional president Ahmad al-Shara visited Istanbul for a high-level, unannounced meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Al-Shara was accompanied by Syria’s foreign and defense ministers. During the visit, the two sides reportedly discussed a potential bilateral defense agreement that could include Turkish access to Syrian airspace and the training of a new national army.
Related: U.S. Envoy Meets Syria’s Al-Sharaa in Istanbul
The Turkish newspaper reported that the proposed bases are part of a “five-party mechanism” aimed at coordinating efforts against ISIS, involving regional countries including Turkey. Ankara, it said, is committed to contributing to Syria’s long-term stability.
The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have been the main ground force fighting ISIS in northeastern Syria in recent years. However, Turkey considers elements of the SDF to be linked to the PKK, a Kurdish militant group designated as a terrorist organization by Ankara and the U.S.
On Saturday, al-Shara also met with U.S. Special Envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack, who described the encounter as “historic,” highlighting shared goals for development, stability, and lifting sanctions.
Earlier this year, Reuters reported that one of the key topics during al-Shara’s first visit to Turkey was the drafting of a joint defense pact that would allow Turkey to build airbases in central Syria.
Turkey’s reported military plans come as ISIS shows signs of resurgence in Syria. A recent New York Times investigation warned of increasing ISIS recruitment and attacks, and raised concerns over the fate of thousands of detained ISIS fighters in SDF-run prisons.
Adding another layer to the regional dynamic, Middle East Eye reported last week that Turkey and Israel had agreed to establish a 24/7 military deconfliction hotline to avoid clashes inside Syrian territory.
Related: Israel and Turkey Agree to Avoid Military Clashes in Syria
Turkish reconnaissance teams have reportedly inspected at least three Syrian airbases as part of preparations for a possible deployment. Some of those bases were later targeted in Israeli airstrikes, including attacks on Hama and Tiyas (T4) airfields in April that killed and wounded several personnel.
Israeli officials have not publicly commented on Turkey’s proposed military presence but, according to Middle East Eye, have not objected as long as Turkish forces do not deploy systems that could track Israeli aircraft or compromise operational security.
