Turkey to assist Syria in establishing 300,000-strong army

Turkey will support the new Syrian authorities in the establishment of a regular army of 300,000. Turkish military advisers and specialists will be involved in its formation, Turkiye newspaper reports.

“Our goal is to create an army of 300,000 within one to one and a half years. The complex situation in the country and the Israeli threat make this necessary,” Gen. Ahmad Osman, representing the new leadership of Syria, said.

According to Gen. Osman, in the initial phase, the backbone of the armed forces will be formed with 70,000 to 80,000 troops, and in the shortest time, their number will reach 150,000 to 200,000.