Turkey Solidifies Military and Political Control in Syria Amid Israeli Distraction
This week, a Turkish naval task force, including the flagship Istanbul-class frigate, an ADA-class corvette, and a logistics ship, docked at the port of Latakia in Syria. Led by Turkish Navy Commander Admiral Ergün Tatlıoğlu, this visit effectively established a permanent Turkish naval presence in western Syria. Despite the absence of a formal lease agreement, Turkey is consolidating control through frequent visits framed as "work visits" or "technical assistance" to avoid diplomatic conflicts. This move follows the recent deployment of Turkish long-range military radar systems near Damascus and Mount Qasioun, creating a permanent military infrastructure linked directly to Ankara.
While Israel focuses on other urgent fronts, Turkey is completing an institutional, military, and infrastructural takeover of Syria, gradually eroding Syrian sovereignty. Turkey's influence manifests in three key areas: the education system in northwest Syria has been subjected to religious and anti-Israel indoctrination, with schools funded and managed by groups aligned with Turkey's ruling party; the Syrian army is undergoing structural reorganization under Turkish sponsorship, integrating jihadist commanders from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham as official officers; and Turkish military advisors are embedded in Syrian general staff headquarters, managing force development. Notably, the Syrian army's core participated in Turkey's EFES 2026 military exercise, signaling operational integration.
These developments pose critical strategic challenges for Israel. The northern border is shifting from a threat posed by Shiite militias to a regular army with jihadist roots, effectively controlled by a NATO member with a clear jihadist ideological leadership. Turkey's radar network in Damascus and Mount Qasioun provides real-time surveillance of southern Syria and northern Israel, potentially restricting Israeli air and naval freedom of operation. Turkey's naval base in Latakia, part of its "Blue Homeland" doctrine, further complicates Israel's operational space.
Israel's current security zone in Syria is insufficient to counter Turkey's creeping control. Experts recommend Israel develop a new policy to counterbalance Turkey by forging long-term strategic ties with local Druze populations in Suwayda and Sunni factions in Daraa and Quneitra. This would include military advisory support akin to Turkey's backing of jihadist groups, alongside civilian, economic, and infrastructure aid to prevent these groups from falling under Turkish-Damascus influence.
Israel should also establish clear military red lines against Turkish expansion south of Damascus, including deploying detection systems and air defenses, with any Turkish military advances met by direct Israeli military responses. Furthermore, reciprocal gestures, such as matching Turkish naval visits in Syria with Israeli visits to Greek Cypriot ports, are suggested to maintain balance. Without an active policy creating a counterweight in southern Syria, Israel risks facing a northern border dominated by a structured jihadist military entity under Turkish control, rendering a mere security zone inadequate.
