Turkey offers to 'support' Syrian forces against Kurdish fighters in Aleppo

Turkey's military is ready to "support" Syria in its battle with Kurdish fighters in the northwestern city of Aleppo if Damascus asks for help, a defence ministry official said Thursday.

Deadly clashes erupted this week between Syrian government forces and the Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) after the two sides failed to reach a year-end deadline to merge the Kurdish fighters into the main Damascus military.

"Turkey supports Syria's fight against terrorist organisations," the official told reporters, saying Ankara was "closely monitoring" developments in the north.

"Should Syria request assistance, Turkey will provide the necessary support," he said.