Turkey Troops to Stay in Syria and Iraq Until Border Security Ensured

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Turkey will continue to station troops in northern Syria and Iraq until it deems border security fully secured against threats from PKK and IS militants, Defense Minister Yasar Guler stated. This ongoing presence, coordinated with Syrian forces and adjusted based on security conditions, reflects Ankara’s commitment to counterterrorism and underscores its influence in the region amid evolving geopolitical dynamics.

Turkey has announced it will maintain its troop presence in northern Syria and Iraq until border security with the two countries is fully assured, Defense Minister Yasar Guler said in a statement. The ongoing deployment aims to address security threats posed by militants linked to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and Islamic State (IS) affiliates.

Speaking in response to questions from AFP, Guler confirmed Turkish forces remain active in both countries. He said the military presence will be reevaluated once regional and border security conditions meet Ankara’s requirements. "When we assess that the necessary conditions have been met in terms of regional and border security, the status of our base areas and our presence in the region will be reconsidered," he stated.

Turkey has maintained a military presence in northern Syria and Iraq for years to combat the PKK, which Ankara designates a terrorist organization, and to counter IS militants. However, the situation has evolved considerably following the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, after which Turkey established closer security coordination with the new Syrian government. According to Guler, Turkish troops have been working alongside Syrian forces to bolster their capabilities and secure the border region.

The minister emphasized that a full reassessment of Turkey’s deployment will depend on the complete elimination of terrorist threats, securing border areas, and ensuring Syria’s state authority is reinstated uniformly across its territory. He declined to provide specific information about troop numbers or future deployment plans, noting decisions will consider Syria’s sovereignty, mutual understandings, security conditions, and developments related to terrorism.

At the time of Assad’s fall, Turkish forces in Syria were estimated to number between 16,000 and 18,000, though recent figures are unavailable. A Turkish official indicated last month that discussions are underway concerning the legal status of Turkish troops in Syria.

In northern Iraq, Turkey has operated a military presence since 2015, maintaining bases and regularly conducting cross-border operations and air raids against PKK positions. An Iraqi security source estimated that Turkish troops currently number between 800 and 1,000 in the region. Ankara’s military actions have at times strained relations with Baghdad.

Guler noted that troop levels in both Syria and Iraq are adjusted based on operational needs rather than fixed personnel counts. He highlighted that Turkish force posture depends on the evolving threat environment, border security demands, and ground developments.

Recent progress in the Kurdish-Turkish conflict includes the PKK’s symbolic destruction of weapons last year and the withdrawal of militants from four key bases in northern Iraq, a move confirmed by Turkish intelligence, signaling potential advances toward resolving longstanding tensions.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.