Turkey is ready to provide military assistance if requested by the new Syrian government led by Islamist rebels, Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Güler said on Sunday, according to AFP and Reuters.
“We are prepared to offer the necessary support if the new administration asks for it,” Güler stated in comments broadcast by Turkish media. He added, “We must wait to see what the new administration in Syria does. We believe they should be given a chance.”
The government is controlled by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group formerly affiliated with Al-Qaida, which many Western countries classify as a terrorist organization. However, HTS has recently adopted a more moderate tone. The interim government has emphasized protecting the rights of all Syrians, including ethnic and religious minorities.
Güler noted that the new government has pledged to respect international institutions, including the United Nations, and to cooperate with global organizations. Additionally, it has promised to report any trace of chemical weapons to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
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