Turkey State Paper Exposes Locations of French Bases in Syria

200 French troops in Syria scattered across nine bases

Following up on turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu warning France against keeping troops in Syria after the US pullout, Turkey’s state-run Anadolu newspaper has exposed the locations of French army bases across Syria.

The report, the second time the paper has detailed French military locations in Syria in the past year, estimated 200 French troops in Syria, and nine bases. The report noted that most of the bases depend on US troops to defend them, and would be helpless once the US leaves.

While most reports on this reflect on this being a hostile action by Turkey, the threat to the French military is likely comparatively low. The French, after all, knew their bases were vulnerable without the US, and similarly must’ve assumed Turkey knew that as well.

Barring a substantial build-up in French troops, the report makes it clear that France can’t practically stay in Syria by themselves. Pointing this out is likely important for Turkey in selling the invasion to their own country.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.