ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Syria’s interim government has requested Turkey’s support to strengthen its defense capabilities, Turkish officials said Wednesday, following sectarian violence over the past two weeks that increased tensions in Syria and drew Israeli intervention.
Syria has also sought assistance to combat “terrorist organizations,” including the Islamic State group, said the defense officials, who spoke only on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the issue publicly.
Turkey, which has long expressed readiness to assist Syria, was working toward providing training, advisory services and technical support to help strengthen Syria’s defense capacity, the officials added.
Syrian officials could not be immediately reached for comment.
“As long as our brotherly country, Syria, requests it, Turkey will continue to stand firmly by its side,” Omer Celik, spokesman for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling party, told reporters when asked to comment on the Syrian request.
“The heroic Turkish armed forces will fulfill this both to assist our Syrian brothers and to prevent instability there, which is vital for Turkey’s national security,” he said.
Tensions escalated in southern Syria last week when violent clashes erupted between Bedouin Arab tribes and minority Druze militias in Sweida province. The conflict triggered Israeli airstrikes on convoys of government forces in Sweida and on the Ministry of Defense headquarters in central Damascus, which Israel justified to protect Druze communities.
The U.S. envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, announced a U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Syria on July 19, which allowed the Syrian government forces to go into Sweida and break up the fighting between the Druze and Bedouins. An earlier ceasefire between Druze factions and government forces broke down. After a second ceasefire, the government forces withdrew from Sweida, but fighting flared again between Druze and Bedouin groups.
Ankara strongly supports Syria’s interim government led by President Ahmad al-Sharaa and has been seeking a defense agreement with Damascus that could reportedly include establishing Turkish military bases on Syrian territory.
In an interview with The Associated Press earlier this week, Barrack said the U.S. has “no position” on the prospect of a defense pact between Syria and Turkey.
“It's not in the U.S. business or interest to tell any of the surrounding nations with each other what to do,” he said.
Ankara also backs an agreement reached between the interim Syrian administration and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF, to integrate into Syria’s national army. Implementation of the deal has stalled, with a major sticking point being whether the SDF would remain as a cohesive unit in the new army or be dissolved completely.
On Tuesday, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan warned Kurdish and other groups in Syria against exploiting the tensions to pursue autonomy, stating that any attempt to divide Syria would be viewed as a direct threat to Turkey’s national security and could prompt intervention.
Turkey considers the SDF as a terrorist organization because of its association with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, which has waged a long-running insurgency in Turkey.
The Turkish officials said Turkey expects the SDF to follow through on its commitments under the agreement, adding that Turkey would be “following” the situation.
The situation in Syria has increased tensions between Turkey and Israel. In April, Israel struck five cities in Syria, including more than a dozen strikes near a strategic air base in the city of Hama, where Turkey reportedly has interests in having a military presence. Israel accused Turkey of trying to build a “protectorate” in Syria.
A convoy of ambulances and buses arrives at a checkpoint in the village of Busra al-Harir, southern Syria, on its way to Sweida province, as security forces cordon off the area to block Bedouin fighters from entering the province, Tuesday, July 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki)
NISEKO, Japan--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 16, 2026--
Nikko Style Niseko HANAZONO celebrated its first anniversary on December 15, 2025, and to commemorate this milestone, the hotel is pleased to introduce a special “Thank You Anniversary Stay” accommodation plan. Available for small groups of guests staying three nights between January 7 and March 8, 2026, the all-inclusive premium accommodation plan incorporates transportation, dining, guided tours and other special events to create one seamless experience. As an expression of the hotel’s gratitude for its guests’ continued patronage, the plan is being offered at a special rate of JPY 3.9 million, the pronunciation of “3.9” in Japanese being similar to the English “thank you.”
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260115976293/en/
The “Thank You Anniversary Stay” plan offers guests an unparalleled way to experience some of the world’s finest snow and the unique allure of Hokkaido’s Niseko, one of Japan’s premier winter sports resorts, in the most indulgent manner. Available exclusively during the winter season and limited to a single party for the entire stay, it will deliver a truly exceptional Niseko winter experience.
The plan includes a three-night stay across two adjoining accommodations: the hotel’s largest suite, the imposing Nikko Style Suite, and the neighboring Premium Studio Suite View. Connecting both suites is a private 66-square-meter rooftop lounge, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows that offer sweeping views of the pristine slopes of Niseko HANAZONO Resort. Each suite has one bedroom, and the plan will be available for groups of up to 7 adults. Surrounded by majestic nature and a sense of serene seclusion, guests will be invited to fully immerse themselves in the beauty of Niseko’s winter landscape.
As part of the all-inclusive offering, the plan provides round-trip airport transfers, transportation between nearby locations, and the exclusive use of a private luxury vehicle with a dedicated driver, allowing guests to travel freely throughout the Kutchan, Hirafu, and greater Niseko areas.
Adding to the plan’s signature culinary experiences, guests may choose one evening during their stay to enjoy a specially curated dinner course featuring Hokkaido’s exceptional local ingredients, paired with selected wines, served privately in the rooftop lounge. The experience will be further enhanced with the delivery of champagne and a cheese platter, as well as a private cocktail hour offered daily, featuring a free flow of light snacks alongside alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Against the ever-changing hues of Niseko’s winter sunset, guests can savor moments of refined comfort and unhurried indulgence.
For winter activities, guests are provided with three-day lift passes valid across both the Hanazono and Hirafu areas, allowing them to fully enjoy Niseko’s world-renowned powder snow. The plan also includes a half-day private tour to one destination of choice—Yoichi, Otaru, Sapporo, Lake Toya, or Lake Shikotsu—offering opportunities to explore Hokkaido’s rich culture, natural landscapes and culinary heritage beyond the slopes. Upon arrival, guests will be welcomed with a specially curated gift set featuring local ingredients and original items unique to Hokkaido and Niseko, setting the tone for an exceptional stay from the very beginning.
Guided by the Nikko Style brand promise, “Your Stay, Your Style,” Nikko Style Niseko HANAZONO has consistently sought to create stays that resonate with the individuality and sensibilities of each guest. The “Thank You Anniversary Stay” plan has been thoughtfully crafted as an extension of that promise, and will offer guests a truly immersive way to experience the essence of winter in Niseko.
For details of the package, please visit https://nisekohanazono.nikkostyle.jp/en/offers/39anniversarystay/
About Nikko Style Niseko HANAZONO
Opened in December 2024, Nikko Style Niseko HANAZONO is the second hotel in Japan under the Nikko Style brand. With the message “Your Stay, Your Style,” it offers a variety of experiences that engage all five senses and encourage guests to enjoy their stay in complete freedom. The hotel faces the Niseko HANAZONO Resort, which offers winter sports enthusiasts a wide range of activities. The property features 234 guest rooms, along with a full range of facilities including restaurants, natural hot springs, a gym, a club lounge, a DJ booth, and banquet spaces. In November 2025, the hotel was honored with the “World’s Best New Ski Hotel” award at the World Ski Awards.
For more details, please visit nisekohanazono.nikkostyle.jp/en.
Nikko Style Suite Roof Top Lounge
