Ankara, January 27, 2026 – Türkiye has firmly rejected claims circulating on social media that the Syrian Army's recent military operations are being directed from a headquarters in Damascus with instructions issued in the Turkish language. The Turkish government described the allegations as entirely false and part of a deliberate disinformation effort aimed at undermining regional stability and bilateral ties.
The statement came from Türkiye's Center for Combating Disinformation (DMM), an arm of the Presidency's Communications Directorate, which issued a formal rebuttal on the Turkish social media platform NSosyal. According to the DMM, the circulating footage—purportedly showing Turkish-language commands guiding Syrian forces—actually dates back to 2021 and depicts routine border security operations by Turkish forces preventing illegal border crossings.
"The footage in question shows the prevention of illegal attempts to cross into our borders and was originally shared in 2021," the DMM explained in its statement. It further accused those spreading the material of manipulating it through editing and overlaying Arabic audio to create a misleading narrative. "The images were deliberately re-circulated after being manipulated through editing and the addition of Arabic audio," the center added.
This incident occurs against the backdrop of rapidly evolving dynamics in Syria following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in late 2024. Since then, Türkiye has emerged as one of the most influential external actors in the country, providing political, military, and security support to the new transitional government led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Turkish officials have repeatedly emphasized their commitment to a unified, stable Syria free from terrorist threats, particularly those posed by groups linked to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which Ankara designates as a terrorist organization.
Recent weeks have seen significant advances by Syrian government forces against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northern and eastern Syria. These operations have resulted in the recapture of key areas, including Raqqa and major oil fields, marking a major shift in control and consolidating Damascus's authority over much of the territory previously held by the SDF. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has publicly congratulated the Syrian government and army on these "successful operations," framing them as steps toward eliminating terrorism and achieving national unity.
Türkiye's support for these developments has included advisory roles, training for Syrian personnel, and coordination on security matters. Ankara has long viewed the SDF's presence along its southern border as an extension of PKK activities threatening Turkish national security. The recent territorial gains by Damascus align closely with Turkish objectives of preventing the establishment of autonomous Kurdish entities near its borders and facilitating the voluntary return of millions of Syrian refugees hosted in Türkiye.
The DMM's statement urged caution among regional populations, particularly "friends, brothers, and neighbors with whom we have shared common values for centuries across this region," to remain vigilant against such disinformation campaigns. It highlighted the importance of relying on official sources to avoid falling prey to manipulated content designed to sow discord.
This is not the first time the DMM has addressed claims related to Syria in recent months. Earlier in January 2026, the center debunked allegations that Türkiye supported the release of Daesh (ISIS) terrorists by Syrian forces, calling those assertions "entirely unfounded." The DMM emphasized Türkiye's record as one of the most active fighters against Daesh in the region, having conducted extensive operations that inflicted major setbacks on the group.
The recirculation of old footage with alterations reflects broader patterns of disinformation in the Syrian conflict, where social media has often been weaponized to shape narratives, inflame tensions, or discredit actors. In the post-Assad era, such efforts appear aimed at complicating Türkiye's deepening engagement with Damascus and portraying its role as overreach or direct interference in Syrian sovereignty.
Relations between Türkiye and the new Syrian administration have strengthened markedly since 2025. High-level delegations, including Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, have visited Damascus to discuss integration of former opposition forces into state structures, counterterrorism cooperation, and refugee returns. Türkiye has also deployed assets, such as radar systems at Damascus International Airport, ostensibly for aviation safety but viewed by some observers as enhancing air defense coordination.
These developments coincide with shifting U.S. policy under President Donald Trump, who has cultivated ties with Sharaa, lifted certain sanctions, and facilitated Syria's entry into the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. Washington has signaled a pivot away from exclusive reliance on the SDF for counter-ISIS operations, now viewing the Damascus government as a viable partner. This has reduced friction in U.S.-Türkiye relations on the Syrian file, while marginalizing the SDF's former privileged status.
The SDF, for its part, has faced internal challenges and territorial losses, leading to ceasefire agreements and negotiations for integration into Syrian state institutions. Turkish officials have described these steps as a "historic turning point" that could remove obstacles to broader peace efforts, including Ankara's domestic process with the PKK.
Critics of Türkiye's role in Syria point to its military presence in northern areas and support for the Syrian National Army as evidence of undue influence. However, Ankara maintains that its actions promote stability, territorial integrity, and the prevention of terrorist safe havens.
The DMM's swift response to the latest claims underscores Türkiye's proactive stance against information warfare amid these sensitive regional shifts. By clarifying the origins and manipulations of the footage, authorities aim to prevent escalation of false narratives that could hinder ongoing cooperation between Ankara and Damascus.
As Syria continues its transition toward centralized governance, incidents like this highlight the persistent challenges of disinformation in a region marked by complex alliances, historical grievances, and competing interests. Türkiye's rejection of the allegations serves as a reminder of the need for fact-based discourse to support lasting peace and security in the Levant.
