Arab Press

بالشعب و للشعب
Saturday, Jul 12, 2025

Turkish Defense Minister Visits Syrian Border, Stresses Dialogue

Turkish Defense Minister Visits Syrian Border, Stresses Dialogue

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar visited Türkiye's command center on the border with Syria overnight on Saturday.  
According to the Ministry of Defense, the minister and accompanying army commanders were briefed about the situation on the border during a meeting with officers and soldiers at the Operation Spring Shield command center.  

Akar told reporters that Ankara was in talks with Moscow about the situation in northern Syria and using the Syrian airspace for a potential cross-border operation against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). 

"We are in talks and discussing with Russia about all issues, including opening the airspace," he said. 

He added that Türkiye is sending the necessary messages to all parties concerned with the Syrian file and taking steps without allowing anyone to undermine its sovereignty, independence, rights and interests. 

Akar pointed out that the Euphrates Shield, Olive Branch, Peace Spring and Spring Shield operations were "carried out successfully" against what he called "terrorist targets" in northern Syria.  

He stressed that Türkiye is determined to protect its rights and never ignores peace, talks, and dialogue, reiterating that Ankara will try to resolve problems reasonably and rationally.  

Türkiye and Russia have held talks earlier this month. Moscow wanted to dissuade Ankara from resorting to a military operation that included a ground invasion of SDF positions in Manbij, Tal Rifaat and Ain al-Arab.  

The Russian plan included the withdrawal of the SDF forces and their weapons from Manbij and Ain al-Arab. They would be replaced by the Syrian regime forces, while the SDF would maintain the Asayish security forces that would be integrated into the regime's security forces, revealed sources. 

However, Türkiye demanded the withdrawal from Tal Rifaat and the return of the Syrian regime as an alternative to the SDF, including security forces and border guards.  

Russia, Iran, and Türkiye continue to pressure the SDF to hand over Ain al-Arab and Manbij to the regime.  

The SDF demanded guarantees regarding its future after handing over the areas, noting that the US had forced Türkiye to freeze the ground operation in northern Syria. 

Akar's visit to the border and the talks with Russia regarding a possible ground operation came amid the escalation of the Turkish forces and the factions of the so-called Syrian National Army against SDF areas in the east and west of the Euphrates. 
Newsletter

Related Articles

Arab Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Kurdistan Workers Party Takes Symbolic Step Towards Peace in Northern Iraq
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Russia Formally Recognizes Taliban Government in Afghanistan
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Mediators Edge Closer to Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Agreement
Germany Seeks Taliban Deal to Deport Afghan Migrants
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Iran Executes Alleged Israeli Spies and Arrests Hundreds Amid Post-War Crackdown
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
Qatar Airways Clears Backlog of Passengers Following Missile Threats
Iran's Parliament Votes to Suspend Cooperation with Nuclear Watchdog
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
NATO Leaders Endorse Plan for Increased Defence Spending
U.S. Crude Oil Prices Drop Below $65 Amid Market Volatility
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
Oman Set to Introduce Personal Income Tax, First in Gulf
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Trump Praises Iran’s ‘Very Weak’ Response After U.S. Strikes and Presses Israel to Pursue Peace
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
Iran Conducts Ballistic Missile Launches Amid Heightened Tensions with Israel
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
×