Turkey has begun building a massive military base in the Palmyra region of central Syria, according to sources close to the new Syrian government, which promises to be one of Ankara’s largest military outposts outside its borders. The base is expected to be comparable in size to the U.S. military complex at Ramstein in Germany, which is considered a key NATO hub in Europe. The move marks a new stage in Turkey’s bolstering its presence in the region, where a battle for control of territory and resources has continued since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.

According to preliminary data, the decision to build the base was agreed upon with the interim government of Syria, formed by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham movement (HTS, recognized as terrorist and banned in the Russian Federation) under the leadership of Ahmed al-Sharaa. Palmyra, located in the province of Homs, was not chosen by chance: its strategic location in the center of the country allows control over key communication routes between the east and west of Syria, and also provides access to desert areas where residual groups remain active. The new base, according to Ankara's plan, will become not only a military, but also a logistics center capable of supporting the operations of Turkish forces and their allies over a vast territory.

The base project envisions infrastructure similar to Ramstein, which covers an area of ​​about 14 square kilometers and serves more than 16 military personnel, civilians, and contractors. If implemented, Turkey would be able to deploy a significant contingent to the facility, including aircraft, air defense systems, and weapons depots. Sources say Ankara has already sent construction equipment and engineering units to the region.

The move has caused a mixed reaction in the world. Turkey, which previously concentrated its military efforts in northern Syria, is now seeking to gain a foothold in the central regions, which could change the balance of power in the region. Experts attribute the initiative to Ankara’s desire to strengthen control over Syrian airspace and counter the influence of Kurdish armed groups such as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which remain one of the main threats to Turkish security. In addition, the Palmyra base could become an instrument of pressure on Iran and Russia, whose positions in Syria have weakened following the change of power in Damascus.