Turkey says troops will remain in Syria and Iraq until border security is guaranteed

Turkish Defence Minister Yaşar Guler said Tuesday that Turkish forces would remain deployed in Syria and Iraq until border security is fully guaranteed and threats to the country’s security have been eliminated.

In written responses to journalists, Guler reaffirmed Ankara’s intention to maintain its military presence in both neighbouring countries, saying any decision to reconsider troop deployments would depend on security developments.

“We are maintaining our military presence in Iraq and Syria,” Guler said.

“Once we are certain that the necessary conditions regarding regional and border security have been met, the status of our deployment sites and our presence in the region will be reviewed.”

Turkey has maintained military forces in northern Syria and Iraq for years, primarily to counter threats from the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and ISIS.

However, the regional security landscape has changed significantly following the overthrow of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the establishment of a new government in Damascus with close ties to Ankara.

The developments have coincided with Turkish efforts to end its decades-long conflict with the PKK.

READ: Turkiye strongly condemns Israel’s activities in Syria’s Quneitra province

Guler said any reassessment of Turkey’s military presence in Syria would require the complete elimination of security threats, guarantees for border security and the restoration of unified state authority throughout Syrian territory.

“Once the terrorist threat in the region has been completely eliminated, border security is guaranteed, and the authority of the state is fully and uniformly established across all parts of Syria—without exception—the status of our forces will be re-evaluated,” he said.

At the time of Assad’s overthrow, Turkey had an estimated 16,000 to 18,000 troops stationed in northern Syria, according to a Turkish official.

However, updated figures on Turkish troop deployments have not been made available.

A Turkish official said last month that discussions were underway to determine the legal status of Turkish forces operating in Syria.

Guler declined to provide details about possible future military deployments or bases, saying it would be premature to discuss plans that had not been formally announced.

He emphasised that decisions concerning the future of Turkish forces in Syria would be made through consultations with Damascus, taking into account Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The process would also consider security conditions on the ground and developments in the threat posed by armed groups, he added.

READ: Turkiye urges international community to act against Israel’s violations of international law