The Turkish Ministry of Defense announced on 22 July that the Syrian government has officially requested support to strengthen its defense capabilities and combat all “terrorist organizations,” particularly ISIS.

“In response to the Syrian government’s request, we continue to provide training, consulting, and technical support to enhance Syria’s defense capabilities,” the ministry said in a statement.

A delegation from Syria’s Ministry of Defense is currently attending the IDEF 2025 defense industry exhibition in Turkiye, which includes over 400 defense companies from 44 countries.

Ministry spokesman Admiral Zeki Akturk said the Syrian government’s request follows intensified Israeli attacks on Damascus and rising tensions in the southern city of Suwayda.

“The recent intensive Israeli attacks have increased tensions between the Druze community and the Damascus administration, particularly in the southern Suwayda region,” Akturk said.

He reiterated Turkiye’s support for Syria’s political unity and territorial integrity, saying Ankara remains committed to ensuring stability and confronting all terrorist groups. “As the Ministry of National Defense, we are working in close cooperation with the new Syrian government,” he added.

Turkiye has repeatedly expressed its total support for the self-proclaimed “transitional government” in Damascus, led by former ISIS and Al-Qaeda warlord Ahmad al-Sharaa – known until December 2024 as Abu Mohammad al-Julani.

Since taking over the country, extremist groups allied with Sharaa have conducted an ethnic cleansing campaign of Alawites in Syria's coastal areas and have threatened other religious minorities.

Most recently, government forces were involved in targeted attacks against Druze communities in the south of Syria, opening the door for Israel to launch heavy airstrikes on the country. 

On 20 July, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared, “Israel does not want stability in the region. It believes that a unified Syria would not be in its interest and continues with such provocations.”

He vowed to support Sharaa and rejected any attempts to fragment the country. “We will not leave Sharaa alone,” Erdogan said.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also condemned Israel’s actions, warning that “Israel is unwilling to see a stable country around itself and aims to divide Syria with the violent unrest in southern Suwayda province.”

Fidan added, “Israel is seeking to drag the region to chaos to preserve its status,” and confirmed Turkiye’s role in helping secure a ceasefire after Israeli strikes on Damascus, Deraa, and Suwayda.