Turkey to provide weapons and support to Syria under new defence pact

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Turkey to provide weapons and support to Syria under new defence pact, officials say​

has faced mounting challenges in restoring order after nearly 14 years of civil war following the ouster of former President Bashar al-Assad by Islamist-led rebel forces in December.

Turkey will provide weapons, military equipment and logistical support to Syria under a newly signed defence agreement, Turkish Defence Ministry officials said on Thursday.

The announcement came a day after Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler and Syria's Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation on military training and consultancy, reinforcing Turkey's support to Syria's interim government.

Last month, Syria requested Turkey's support to strengthen its defence capabilities following sectarian violence in the country that also drew intervention by Israel.

Under the agreement, Turkey would share its "knowledge and experience" and supply military equipment, weapons systems and logistical materials to help strengthen the country’s capabilities, Turkish Defence Ministry officials said.