Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Tuesday, marking a significant development in their bilateral relations. This is not the first time Sharaa has traveled abroad since taking office as Syria’s new president, but it marks a shift from his focus on foreign delegations to official state visits.
The meeting between Erdogan and Sharaa has raised eyebrows in Israel and across the region, given Turkey’s history of strained relationships with Israel. A potential defense agreement or Turkish bases in central Syria could increase Ankara’s sphere of influence, particularly if it extends its reach to the Golan Heights. This could lead to friction with Israel.
Turkey has already shown its intentions in Syria, backing rebels and deploying air defenses in northern Syria. Now, Sharaa is receiving foreign delegations, marking a significant shift in his presidency. Turkey’s interests align closely with Qatar and Saudi Arabia, while it remains at odds with Iran and Russia.
A Reuters report suggests that the Syria-Turkey relationship may be deeper than initially thought. Turkey has backed Syrian rebels but not always supported the same groups Sharaa led to toppling the Assad regime. Ankara has a complex role in Syria, backing some factions while co-opting others into the Syrian National Army (SNA).
Turkey sees Syria as an opportunity, having invaded northern Syria between 2015 and 2019 and now backing the SNA’s fight against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). A potential defense agreement with Sharaa could give Turkey control over Syria’s airspace and training of its armed forces.
The implications of this move are significant. If Turkey secures bases in central Syria, it will effectively replace Russia and Iran as an ally and benefactor. This could give Turkey a strategic advantage, allowing it to play multiple roles in the region, including targeting the SDF and potentially increasing influence over Hamas’s role in the West Bank.
Turkey’s involvement in Syria also has NATO implications, given its membership. If Ankara leverages these connections against Israel, it could have major ramifications for regional security. Turkey may feel an opportunity to exploit the situation in the region, particularly if this puts Turkish air defenses and bases on Israel’s northern Golan border. This could impact Israel-Iran tensions and Jerusalem’s freedom of action in the region.
Source: https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-840675