Breaking News: Statement from the Ministry of National Defense on talks with Syria

The Ministry of National Defense (MSB) held its weekly briefing.

Bashar al-Assad, speaking in the Syrian parliament, stated that no results had been achieved from the talks held so far regarding relations with Turkey, saying, "Despite the seriousness and sincere efforts of the mediators, the initiatives have not yielded any significant results."

Ministry sources, in response to questions regarding Bashar al-Assad's latest statements, noted the following:

“Turkey’s presence in Syria prevents the division of Syrian territory and the creation of a terror corridor there. As Turkey, we want to see a democratic and prosperous Syria, not one struggling with instability and where terrorist organizations run rampant. Our President has personally expressed that we are ready for talks and dialogue at every level. It is understood that the statement previously made by our Minister regarding talks with Syria has had an impact. Our stance on the Syria issue is clear."

REPORTS REGARDING THE S-400 AIR DEFENSE SYSTEM

Ministry sources, addressing recent reports claiming that the sale of F-35s could take place on the condition that the S-400 air defense system is not used, stated, "Our country’s system requirement for its air defense needs continues. In this context, the S-400 air defense system is in the TSK inventory. There is no new development regarding this issue at the current stage.”

ALLEGATIONS OF JOINT TRAINING WITH THE US

A statement was also made regarding the training exercises conducted by TCG Anadolu and TCG Gökova with the US ship USS Wasp, which some media outlets reported as “support for Israel.”

Sources said, "TCG Anadolu and TCG Gökova conducted passing exercises in the Mediterranean with US Naval elements USS Wasp and USS Oak Hill on August 13-17. Passing exercises are opportunity trainings conducted to increase interoperability with friendly and allied country elements present in our region, and they are also carried out with ships from other friendly and allied countries. These are routine and limited in scope. In other words, they are not exercises, and they were not planned a year in advance as alleged. There is a huge difference between an exercise and a passing exercise. Exercises are activities carried out within the framework of a specific scenario, involving a large number and variety of elements, and have a specific purpose. Passing exercises, on the other hand, are trainings that arise simply from the opportunity of ships being there, where only procedures are tested, and which have no purpose other than improving interoperability and friendship. It is wrong to attribute different meanings to these trainings."

The statement continued with the following expressions:

"As with many other similar routine activities carried out, considering that the US side would also share it, no post was made regarding this activity, and no need was felt to send a message through the activity.

It is not correct to take this training activity, which has neither benefit to Israel nor harm to Palestine, out of its scope and context and pull it in different directions. As has been stated many times before, it is impossible for the Republic of Turkey to be involved in any activity that would be to the detriment of the Palestinian people."

News Source: 12punto