Turkey Seeks to Keep Syria’s President Out of a Direct Clash With Hezbollah

Ankara’s long reach extends everywhere: In recent weeks, Turkey has advised Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa not to be drawn into a confrontation with Hezbollah inside Lebanon. In other words, not to assist efforts by Israel and the Lebanese state to curb the Shiite terror organization, which Syria’s new government sees as a bitter enemy. According to the same Syrian source, who spoke with Roi Kais on Kan News’s main evening broadcast, Turkey believes that if Hezbollah is eliminated entirely, it would strengthen Israel, an outcome that is less desirable from the Turkish perspective. That is why Ankara does not want its protégé in Damascus to be dragged into a direct confrontation with Hezbollah that could help weaken it.