Turkey supervises recruitment of Syrians to fight in Ukraine, STJ
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Several Turkish-backed opposition groups, notably the Sultan Murad Division, equipped hundreds of veteran fighters, preparing them to fight in Ukraine under 6-month mercenary contracts, Syrians For Truth and Justice (STJ) said.
STJ, in the report, cited a first-class commander who stressed that between 900 and 1000 names had already been registered without final approval from Turkey to start the transfers to Ukraine, especially since the recruits are all experienced fighters.
The Turkish authorities are aware about the registration process, as it did not request the cessation of the registration and did not object to it.
“The Turks know that the factions are registering the names of fighters. Some factions received indirect Turkish orders to attract fighters with experience in heavy weapons in the first phase, who will be divided into groups, each consisting of 210 fighters. These will be transferred sometime later,” STJ cited one of the registered officers as saying.
The STJ neither mentioned any information about the flights nor a specific date for transporting the fighter, “The Turks have not yet totally approved or decisively refused the recruitments the issue is still under discussion.”
Some European countries will handle the transfers, but Turkey will still supervise the fighters, the report read.
The registered fighters have been circulating information that the Ukrainian government will pay them their salaries (1200 USD per month) for the duration of a 6-month fighting mission, according to STJ.
While the Ukrainian authorities will pay the money to Turkey, who would then provide the sums as grants to the SNA factions, STJ added.
It is worth noting that the Russian forces have opened the door to recruitment for the Syrian army to fight with Russia against Ukraine.