28-03-2024 12:34 PM Jerusalem Timing

Turkey to Launch ’Train-and-Equip Program’ for Syrian Opposition Forces

Turkey to Launch ’Train-and-Equip Program’ for Syrian Opposition Forces

The train-and-equip program for Syrian opposition militants will start on March 1 in Turkey.

Turkey: FM spokesman Tanju BilgicThe train-and-equip program for Syrian opposition militants will start on March 1 in Turkey, the Turkish Foreign Ministry confirmed on Friday.

During his weekly address to the press, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Tanju Bilgic said the program "will start on March 1."

"I cannot give further details about the program," Bilgic added.

On Feb. 20, Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu had mentioned that around 2,000 Syrian gunmen will take part in a train-and-equip program in Turkey starting in early March.

Cavusoglu expressed that "the aim of the program is to ensure a political transition and strengthen the opposition in their fight against threats such as extremism, terrorism and all elements that pose a threat to the opposition, including from the regime (the national Syrian government)."

Cavusoglu added that other countries, such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia, were also engaged in similar programs.

On Feb. 19, Turkey and the U.S. inked a deal to train-and-equip the Syrian opposition terrorists, Turkish diplomatic sources said.

Syria was hit by a violent unrest since mid-March 2011, where the western media reports accuse countries, mainly the USA, Turkey and Saudi Arabia of orchestrating the civil conflict in the country and providing terrorist groups with money, weapons and trained mercenaries.