Türkiye debunks altered video claims of Syria-Türkiye military coordination

2026-01-26 - 21:18

Türkiye has officially rejected as false the allegation that Syrian military actions are coordinated by a command post using the Turkish language. The claims, which suggested operations were being directed from a government headquarters in Damascus with instructions in Turkish, were labeled a deliberate disinformation effort by Turkish authorities. Center for Combating Disinformation Issues Clarification The rebuttal was issued by Türkiye's Center for Combating Disinformation (DMM) in a statement on the Turkish social media platform NSosyal. The DMM clarified that the video in question is not new but dates back to 2021. The original content depicted the prevention of illegal border crossings into Türkiye. "The images were deliberately re-circulated after being manipulated through editing and the addition of Arabic audio," the center stated. A Call for Regional Vigilance Against False Narratives In its announcement, the DMM emphasized the importance of regional awareness and caution. It addressed nations sharing historical and cultural ties with Türkiye across the Middle East, urging them to remain vigilant against such fabricated narratives. This call highlights ongoing concerns about information warfare and its potential to distort facts and stir regional tensions. Context of Border Security and Information Integrity The incident underscores the critical nature of border security for Türkiye and the persistent challenges posed by sophisticated disinformation tactics online. By publicly dismantling the false claim, the Turkish government aims to reinforce the integrity of its official communications and preempt any misunderstandings regarding its foreign policy and military posture in the region.