Turkey and Israel on Collision Course Over Post-Assad Syria

Tensions between Turkey and Israel are escalating due to conflicting interests in Syria following the fall of President Bashar Assad’s regime.

The situation has become increasingly complex with the Syrian government’s recent agreement to integrate a Kurdish-led armed group into its military, a move that Turkey is closely monitoring.

The collapse of Assad’s government has heightened the already strained relationship between Turkey and Israel. Turkey, which has long supported factions opposed to Assad, is advocating for a unified and stable Syria under a central authority.

This stance is in contrast to Israel’s preference for fragmented Syria, particularly after the country became a battleground for Iran and its affiliates, which Israel views as a significant threat.

The Syrian government has reached an agreement with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to integrate them into the Syrian army. This deal aims to promote unity and stability in Syria but faces challenges due to the complex political landscape.

Turkey, which considers the SDF’s primary component, the People’s Protection Units (YPG), a terrorist organization, is closely monitoring the situation to ensure it does not pose future threats to its security.

Turkey’s Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, emphasized that while the agreement is being watched closely, it should not grant autonomy to the SDF. Instead, all groups should feel part of a unified Syria with equal opportunities. Turkey’s concerns stem from the potential for the deal to undermine its influence in the region or create security risks.

Israel remains skeptical of Syria’s interim president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, due to his alleged connections to extremist groups.

Israel is also wary of Turkey’s growing influence in Damascus, fearing it could strengthen Iran’s presence in the region, which Israel sees as a strategic threat.

Experts warn that Syria has become a battleground for proxy warfare between Turkey and Israel, with both countries viewing each other as regional rivals. This dynamic poses significant risks as their conflicting interests could lead to further instability in the region.

As the situation continues to unfold, international observers are closely watching developments in Syria, hoping for a peaceful resolution that addresses the complex interests of all parties involved.