Netanyahu to reportedly hold security meeting on Türkiye’s growing influence in Syria
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends his trial on corruption charges at the district court in Tel Aviv, on February 12, 2025. (AFP Photo)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to convene a security meeting on Sunday, according to Israeli media outlet Channel 12, with the primary focus being Türkiye’s expanding influence in Syria.
The discussions are expected to center on strategies to curb Turkish involvement and presence in Syria.
Meanwhile, another Israeli media outlet, Walla, reported that the Syrian government is in advanced talks with Ankara to hand over a military base in the city of Palmyra, Homs province, to the Turkish army in exchange for economic, military, and political aid.
The report emphasized Israel’s growing concern over a “Turkish military presence” in eastern Homs, noting that during previous security meetings, it was assessed that “a confrontation between Türkiye and Israel in Syria is inevitable.”
Türkiye has closely monitored the situation in Syria, offering its support to Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who replaced Bashar al-Assad after anti-regime forces took control of Damascus on December 8, marking the collapse of the Baath Party’s nearly 60-year rule.
Al-Sharaa, who led the forces that ousted Assad, was declared president for a transitional period in late January. Türkiye has been in constant contact with Damascus, prioritizing the elimination of threats posed by the YPG, the Syrian offshoot of the PKK terrorist organization.
Earlier this March, high-ranking Turkish officials, including Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, National Defense Minister Yasar Guler, and Ibrahim Kalin, head of the Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MIT), met with al-Sharaa in Damascus to discuss security and regional concerns.
Daily Israeli airstrikes in Syria
Meanwhile, Israel has been conducting near-daily airstrikes in Syria for months, causing civilian casualties and destroying military sites, equipment, and ammunition belonging to the Syrian army. Despite these repeated violations of Syrian sovereignty, the new Syrian administration under President Ahmad Al-Sharaa has not posed a direct threat to Tel Aviv.
