Istanbul, Turkey
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Turkey is ready to provide military support to Syria's new Islamist-led government set up by rebels who overthrew Bashar al-Assad if it requests it, Defence Minister Yasar Guler said on Sunday.
He said the new leadership should be given "a chance" and that Turkey was "ready to provide the necessary support" if needed, in remarks reported by state news agency Anadolu and other Turkish media outlets.
"It is necessary to see what the new administration will do. We think it is necessary to give them a chance," Guler said of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham rebel alliance, which is rooted in Al-Qaeda's Syria branch and designated a "terrorist" organisation by many Western governments.
HTS has sought to moderate its rhetoric and its transitional government has insisted the rights of all Syrians would be protected along with the rule of law.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/west-asia-crisis-israel-strikes-syria-overnight-as-rebel-leader-warns-of-unwarranted-escalation-784154">Israel strikes Syria overnight; rebel leader warns of 'unwarranted escalation'</a>
"We have military training and cooperation agreements with many countries. We are ready to provide the necessary support if the new administration requests it," the Turkish defence minister said, without specifying what might be provided.
The new administration, Guler said, had pledged to "respect all government institutions, the UN and other international organisations" and promised to report any evidence of chemical weapons to the OPCW watchdog.
<h2>Kurdish question</h2>
Turkey's top priority in Syria was to rid the country of Kurdish separatist fighters -- a goal which was supported by the new government, Guler said.
"In this new period, the PKK/YPG terrorist organisation will be eliminated in Syria, sooner or later. Both we and the new administration in Syria want this," he said.
"We have no problems with our Kurdish brothers living in Iraq and Syria. Our problem is only and exclusively with terrorists."
The YPG (Syrian Kurdish People's Defence Units) makes up the bulk of the SDF (Syrian Democratic Forces), a key US ally that defeated the Islamic State group's self-declared caliphate in Syria in 2019.
Ankara views the YPG as an extension of its domestic foe, the PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party), which has led a decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state.
By extension, it sees the SDF as a terror outfit, setting it sharply at odds with Washington, which has called the group "crucial" for preventing a resurgence of IS group jihadists in Syria.
"Our priority (in Syria) is the liquidation of the PKK/YPG terrorist organisation," Guler said.
"We have expressed this to our American friends. We expect them to re-evaluate their positions."
His remarks echoed comments on Friday by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who said Turkey would give the new Syrian government time to tackle the problem.
"The elimination of the YPG is our strategic goal. We will wait for our brothers in Syria to eliminate the threat in their own land," he told the private NTV channel, saying the Kurdish group's leadership "must leave the country".
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

"It is necessary to see what the new administration will do. We think it is necessary to give them a chance," Guler said of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham rebel alliance, which is rooted in Al-Qaeda's Syria branch and designated a "terrorist" organisation by many Western governments.



Istanbul, Turkey Turkey is ready to provide military support to Syria's new Islamist-led government set up by rebels who overthrew Bashar al-Assad if it requests it, Defence Minister Yasar Guler said on Sunday. He said the new leadership should be given "a chance" and that Turkey was "ready to provide the necessary support" if needed, in remarks reported by state news agency Anadolu and other Turkish media outlets. "It is necessary to see what the new administration will do. We think it is necessary to give them a chance," Guler said of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham rebel alliance, which is rooted in Al-Qaeda's Syria branch and designated a "terrorist" organisation by many Western governments. HTS has sought to moderate its rhetoric and its transitional government has insisted the rights of all Syrians would be protected along with the rule of law. Also read: Israel strikes Syria overnight; rebel leader warns of 'unwarranted escalation' "We have military training and cooperation agreements with many countries. We are ready to provide the necessary support if the new administration requests it," the Turkish defence minister said, without specifying what might be provided. The new administration, Guler said, had pledged to "respect all government institutions, the UN and other international organisations" and promised to report any evidence of chemical weapons to the OPCW watchdog. Kurdish question Turkey's top priority in Syria was to rid the country of Kurdish separatist fighters -- a goal which was supported by the new government, Guler said. "In this new period, the PKK/YPG terrorist organisation will be eliminated in Syria, sooner or later. Both we and the new administration in Syria want this," he said. "We have no problems with our Kurdish brothers living in Iraq and Syria. Our problem is only and exclusively with terrorists." The YPG (Syrian Kurdish People's Defence Units) makes up the bulk of the SDF (Syrian Democratic Forces), a key US ally that defeated the Islamic State group's self-declared caliphate in Syria in 2019. Ankara views the YPG as an extension of its domestic foe, the PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party), which has led a decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state. By extension, it sees the SDF as a terror outfit, setting it sharply at odds with Washington, which has called the group "crucial" for preventing a resurgence of IS group jihadists in Syria. "Our priority (in Syria) is the liquidation of the PKK/YPG terrorist organisation," Guler said. "We have expressed this to our American friends. We expect them to re-evaluate their positions." His remarks echoed comments on Friday by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who said Turkey would give the new Syrian government time to tackle the problem. "The elimination of the YPG is our strategic goal. We will wait for our brothers in Syria to eliminate the threat in their own land," he told the private NTV channel, saying the Kurdish group's leadership "must leave the country". Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Turkey offers military support to Syria’s rebel government in fight against Kurdish separatists

Turkey is ready to provide military support to Syria's new Islamist-led government set up by rebels who overthrew Bashar al-Assad if it requests it, Defence Minister Yasar Guler said on Sunday.

Turkey is ready to provide military support to Syria's new Islamist-led government set up by rebels who overthrew Bashar al-Assad if it requests it, Defence Minister Yasar Guler said on Sunday. He said the new leadership should be given "a chance" and that Turkey was "ready to provide the necessary support" if needed, in remarks reported by state news agency Anadolu and other Turkish media outlets. "It is necessary to see what the new administration will do. We think it is necessary to give them a chance," Guler said of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham rebel alliance, which is rooted in Al-Qaeda's Syria branch and designated a "terrorist" organisation by many Western governments. HTS has sought to moderate its rhetoric and its transitional government has insisted the rights of all Syrians would be protected along with the rule of law. Also read: Israel strikes Syria overnight; rebel leader warns of 'unwarranted escalation' "We have military training and cooperation agreements with many countries. We are ready to provide the necessary support if the new administration requests it," the Turkish defence minister said, without specifying what might be provided. The new administration, Guler said, had pledged to "respect all government institutions, the UN and other international organisations" and promised to report any evidence of chemical weapons to the OPCW watchdog. Kurdish question Turkey's top priority in Syria was to rid the country of Kurdish separatist fighters -- a goal which was supported by the new government, Guler said. "In this new period, the PKK/YPG terrorist organisation will be eliminated in Syria, sooner or later. Both we and the new administration in Syria want this," he said. "We have no problems with our Kurdish brothers living in Iraq and Syria. Our problem is only and exclusively with terrorists." The YPG (Syrian Kurdish People's Defence Units) makes up the bulk of the SDF (Syrian Democratic Forces), a key US ally that defeated the Islamic State group's self-declared caliphate in Syria in 2019. Ankara views the YPG as an extension of its domestic foe, the PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party), which has led a decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state. By extension, it sees the SDF as a terror outfit, setting it sharply at odds with Washington, which has called the group "crucial" for preventing a resurgence of IS group jihadists in Syria. "Our priority (in Syria) is the liquidation of the PKK/YPG terrorist organisation," Guler said. "We have expressed this to our American friends. We expect them to re-evaluate their positions." His remarks echoed comments on Friday by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who said Turkey would give the new Syrian government time to tackle the problem. "The elimination of the YPG is our strategic goal. We will wait for our brothers in Syria to eliminate the threat in their own land," he told the private NTV channel, saying the Kurdish group's leadership "must leave the country". Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Turkey has stopped its search and rescue operations in all but two of its provinces, two weeks after it was struck by one of the most devastating earthquakes it has ever seen.

However, the rescue efforts will continue in Antakya and Kahmaranmaraş cities—the hardest hit regions which saw the maximum destruction.

The quake’s epicentre was recorded from Pazarcik district in Kahramanmaraş, where thousands of buildings collapsed and much of the city lies in ruins.

“In many of our provinces, search and rescue efforts have been completed. They continue in Kahramanmaraş and Hatay provinces,” Disaster Relief Agency chief Yunus Sezer said during a press briefing in Ankara, reports AFP news agency.

The official said that rescue teams are currently dispatched to about 40 buildings in both provinces, adding that the number would reduce by Sunday evening.

In Antakya, rescue officers continued to find survivors under the rubble since the quake struck. On Saturday, a couple and their 12-year-old child were rescued in Hatay, 296 hours after the earthquake, Anadolu reported. But the child later died.

<h2>Turkey-Syria Earthquake: Death toll climbs 46,000; survivors struggle to rebuild lives</h2>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/turkey-syria-earthquake-death-toll-climbs-46000-survivors-struggle-to-rebuild-lives-563708/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Among the Turkish provinces, Hatay was one of the worst affected by the February 6 quake.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-syria-earthquake-death-toll-surpasses-46000-ankara-to-stop-rescue-efforts-on-sunday-563571">&nbsp;Turkey-Syria earthquake toll surpasses 46,000, Ankara to stop rescue efforts on Sunday night</a>

Province’s Mayor Lutfu Savas on Sunday said that at least 80 per cent of its buildings will need to be rebuilt after being demolished.

Meanwhile, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Turkey on Sunday and pledged an additional $100 million in humanitarian aid. He toured the southeastern regions.&nbsp;

More than 46,000 people died after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit Turkey and the northern part of Syria earlier this month.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

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Turkey has stopped its search and rescue operations in all but two of its provinces, two weeks after it was struck by one of the most devastating earthquakes it has ever seen.

Turkey has stopped its search and rescue operations in all but two of its provinces, two weeks after it was struck by one of the most devastating earthquakes it has ever seen. However, the rescue efforts will continue in Antakya and Kahmaranmaraş cities—the hardest hit regions which saw the maximum destruction. The quake’s epicentre was recorded from Pazarcik district in Kahramanmaraş, where thousands of buildings collapsed and much of the city lies in ruins. “In many of our provinces, search and rescue efforts have been completed. They continue in Kahramanmaraş and Hatay provinces,” Disaster Relief Agency chief Yunus Sezer said during a press briefing in Ankara, reports AFP news agency. The official said that rescue teams are currently dispatched to about 40 buildings in both provinces, adding that the number would reduce by Sunday evening. In Antakya, rescue officers continued to find survivors under the rubble since the quake struck. On Saturday, a couple and their 12-year-old child were rescued in Hatay, 296 hours after the earthquake, Anadolu reported. But the child later died. Turkey-Syria Earthquake: Death toll climbs 46,000; survivors struggle to rebuild lives Among the Turkish provinces, Hatay was one of the worst affected by the February 6 quake. Also read | Turkey-Syria earthquake toll surpasses 46,000, Ankara to stop rescue efforts on Sunday night Province’s Mayor Lutfu Savas on Sunday said that at least 80 per cent of its buildings will need to be rebuilt after being demolished. Meanwhile, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Turkey on Sunday and pledged an additional $100 million in humanitarian aid. He toured the southeastern regions. More than 46,000 people died after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit Turkey and the northern part of Syria earlier this month. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Earthquake-hit Turkey halts rescue operations in all but two provinces

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/15-killed-in-airstrikes-in-northwest-syria-265777">Air strikes </a>killed 19 civilians Monday in Syria's last major opposition bastion, the site of the deadliest clashes between regime forces and armed groups since an August ceasefire came into force, a monitoring group said.

More than 100 kilometres (60 miles) to the north, a separate <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eight-children-among-nine-killed-in-turkish-shelling-on-north-syria-monitor-265784">Turkish artillery attack </a>on a Kurdish-held city in Aleppo province killed 11 civilians, including eight children, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.&nbsp;

Syria's bloody eight-year-long conflict has killed more than 370,000 people and displaced millions since it started in 2011.

It continues to claim scores of civilian lives, especially in areas outside government control.

In the province of Idlib, largely under the control of a group dominated by a former Al-Qaeda affiliate, regime air raids killed 13 civilians in a market in the town of Maaret al-Numan, the Britain-based Observatory said.&nbsp;

An AFP correspondent saw rescue workers carry a wounded man away on a stretcher while a body lay motionless amid spilt oranges and bags of onions.

Maher Mohammed, 35, a vendor in the market, said it was the most frightening bombardment he had witnessed in years.

"We ran inside the shops and threw ourselves on the ground," the father of five told AFP.

"They bombarded half the market. Our neighbours were killed," as were two women in a car who had come to do some shopping, he said.

The Observatory said six others died in Russian and regime bombardment in other parts of the province, including a woman and her two children in a Russian strike on an Idlib prison.

Fighting rages&nbsp;

On the southeastern edge of the region, regime forces and armed groups were locked in heavy clashes, with almost 100 fighters killed in two days, according to the war monitor.

The battles on the fringes of Idlib since Saturday are the most deadly since a Russia-brokered ceasefire went into effect in late August, it said.

Fifty-four regime fighters had been killed, while 47 of their foes including 33 jihadists had also lost their lives since Saturday, the Observatory said.

President Bashar al-Assad has long maintained that his government will eventually reimpose its control over the northwestern region on the border with Turkey.

During a meeting on Monday with Russia's special envoy for Syria, Alexander Lavrentiev, Assad agreed to "continue the fight against terrorism" so that Idlib would not become "a permanent haven for terrorists," the presidency said.

The late August ceasefire came months into a devastating Russia-backed regime offensive that killed around 1,000 civilians and ousted hundreds of thousands from their homes.

But sporadic clashes and deadly Russian and regime bombardment on the jihadist-held bastion have continued, with 179 civilians including 45 children killed during that time.

Turkish attack&nbsp;

In the strategic city of Tal Rifaat, controlled by local Kurdish fighters, a Turkish artillery attack hit near a school as students were leaving the building.

Most of the 11 civilians killed in the shelling had been displaced from the Afrin region captured last year by Turkish troops and their Syrian proxies, Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said.

Footage released by Kurdish-run media purported to show bloody and bandaged young men being carried into a crowded medical facility after the attack.

Wrapped in thick wool blankets, the corpses of the deceased were lined up on the floor of an empty room in the same facility, in the footage.

Outside, relatives broke-down crying.

Tal Rifaat, a strategic town 20 kilometres (12 miles) south of Turkey's frontier, is the site of regular confrontations between Turkish-backed forces and Kurdish fighters.&nbsp;

Turkey threatened to launch a cross-border offensive to capture Tal Rifaat last year after taking Afrin from the US-backed People's Protection Units (YPG) militia.

But Russia intervened to stop the planned offensive.

In October, it said it agreed to work with Turkey to remove all YPG militia "elements and their weapons" from Tal Rifaat.&nbsp;

But in early November, Turkish President Reep Tayyip Erdogan said Kurdish "terror groups" had still not left.

Tal Rifaat is held by local Kurdish fighters displaced from Afrin, the Observatory head said, adding that Russian forces and regime troops are also currently deployed inside the town.

Turkey in October launched a cross-border operation south of its frontier against Syrian Kurdish forces.

In the two months since the operation began, it has established a so-called "safe zone" in a 120-kilometre-long strip along the border, where it says it wants to resettle Syrian refugees.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Air strikes killed 19 civilians Monday in Syria's last major opposition bastion, the site of the deadliest clashes between regime forces and armed groups since an August ceasefire came into force, a monitoring group said.

Air strikes killed 19 civilians Monday in Syria's last major opposition bastion, the site of the deadliest clashes between regime forces and armed groups since an August ceasefire came into force, a monitoring group said. More than 100 kilometres (60 miles) to the north, a separate Turkish artillery attack on a Kurdish-held city in Aleppo province killed 11 civilians, including eight children, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Syria's bloody eight-year-long conflict has killed more than 370,000 people and displaced millions since it started in 2011. It continues to claim scores of civilian lives, especially in areas outside government control. In the province of Idlib, largely under the control of a group dominated by a former Al-Qaeda affiliate, regime air raids killed 13 civilians in a market in the town of Maaret al-Numan, the Britain-based Observatory said. An AFP correspondent saw rescue workers carry a wounded man away on a stretcher while a body lay motionless amid spilt oranges and bags of onions. Maher Mohammed, 35, a vendor in the market, said it was the most frightening bombardment he had witnessed in years. "We ran inside the shops and threw ourselves on the ground," the father of five told AFP. "They bombarded half the market. Our neighbours were killed," as were two women in a car who had come to do some shopping, he said. The Observatory said six others died in Russian and regime bombardment in other parts of the province, including a woman and her two children in a Russian strike on an Idlib prison. Fighting rages On the southeastern edge of the region, regime forces and armed groups were locked in heavy clashes, with almost 100 fighters killed in two days, according to the war monitor. The battles on the fringes of Idlib since Saturday are the most deadly since a Russia-brokered ceasefire went into effect in late August, it said. Fifty-four regime fighters had been killed, while 47 of their foes including 33 jihadists had also lost their lives since Saturday, the Observatory said. President Bashar al-Assad has long maintained that his government will eventually reimpose its control over the northwestern region on the border with Turkey. During a meeting on Monday with Russia's special envoy for Syria, Alexander Lavrentiev, Assad agreed to "continue the fight against terrorism" so that Idlib would not become "a permanent haven for terrorists," the presidency said. The late August ceasefire came months into a devastating Russia-backed regime offensive that killed around 1,000 civilians and ousted hundreds of thousands from their homes. But sporadic clashes and deadly Russian and regime bombardment on the jihadist-held bastion have continued, with 179 civilians including 45 children killed during that time. Turkish attack In the strategic city of Tal Rifaat, controlled by local Kurdish fighters, a Turkish artillery attack hit near a school as students were leaving the building. Most of the 11 civilians killed in the shelling had been displaced from the Afrin region captured last year by Turkish troops and their Syrian proxies, Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said. Footage released by Kurdish-run media purported to show bloody and bandaged young men being carried into a crowded medical facility after the attack. Wrapped in thick wool blankets, the corpses of the deceased were lined up on the floor of an empty room in the same facility, in the footage. Outside, relatives broke-down crying. Tal Rifaat, a strategic town 20 kilometres (12 miles) south of Turkey's frontier, is the site of regular confrontations between Turkish-backed forces and Kurdish fighters. Turkey threatened to launch a cross-border offensive to capture Tal Rifaat last year after taking Afrin from the US-backed People's Protection Units (YPG) militia. But Russia intervened to stop the planned offensive. In October, it said it agreed to work with Turkey to remove all YPG militia "elements and their weapons" from Tal Rifaat. But in early November, Turkish President Reep Tayyip Erdogan said Kurdish "terror groups" had still not left. Tal Rifaat is held by local Kurdish fighters displaced from Afrin, the Observatory head said, adding that Russian forces and regime troops are also currently deployed inside the town. Turkey in October launched a cross-border operation south of its frontier against Syrian Kurdish forces. In the two months since the operation began, it has established a so-called "safe zone" in a 120-kilometre-long strip along the border, where it says it wants to resettle Syrian refugees.

Thirty killed across Syria as violence rages

Erdogan reacts after U.S.-Turkey deal, said that they expect U.S to push out YPG forces.

Erdogan reacts after U.S.-Turkey deal

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Turkey offers military support to Syria’s rebel government in fight against Kurdish separatists

Turkey offers military support to Syria’s rebel government in fight against Kurdish separatists

Earthquake-hit Turkey halts rescue operations in all but two provinces

Thirty killed across Syria as violence rages

Erdogan reacts after U.S.-Turkey deal