By: Anadolu ajansi

In an interview with Anadolu, Syria's Emergency and Disaster Response Minister Raed al-Saleh described Türkiye as a "strategic partner" in the country's recovery, playing a major role in critical areas such as mine clearance, disaster preparedness, and reconstruction following the fall of the Assad regime. He highlighted that the two nations are finalizing a memorandum of understanding between Syria’s ministry and Türkiye’s disaster management agency AFAD to enhance training and capacity building in earthquake response, emergency coordination, and disaster management.

Minister Saleh emphasized the interconnected security and stability of both countries, noting strong social ties, the presence of millions of Syrians who lived in Türkiye, and ongoing military training exchanges, including Syrian cadets studying in Turkish academies. He outlined Syria's efforts to build a national emergency system from scratch, moving from reactive to preventive approaches through institutions like the National Mine Action Center and the National Earthquake Center.

Saleh, the former head of the White Helmets civil defense group, acknowledged the challenge of integrating civil society flexibility into government structures while maintaining transparency. He reported significant progress in clearing over one million cubic meters of rubble and deploying Turkish mine-clearing equipment in Syria. Looking ahead, he announced plans for a joint border operations room with Türkiye to manage wildfires, disasters, and emergency coordination.