Turkey Plans Military Deployment to Lebanon as UN Peacekeeping Ends

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced plans to send troops to Lebanon's border with Israel following the upcoming withdrawal of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Erdogan and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun made the joint declaration after their meeting in Ankara, expressing Turkey's interest in joining the new security initiative set to replace UNIFIL, which is scheduled to begin dismantling early next year.

The UN Security Council decided in August last year that UNIFIL, established in 1978 after Israel's Operation Litani, would start withdrawing in 2027, with a one-year phased pullout beginning in January. The force, comprising 10,800 personnel from 47 countries, was originally tasked with monitoring the Blue Line border but was later authorized to enforce peace and counter Hezbollah following the 2006 Lebanon War. Despite this, Hezbollah has grown militarily in southern Lebanon.

After UNIFIL's departure, Lebanon's government will assume full security responsibility in the south. Erdogan emphasized Turkey's commitment to Lebanon's sovereignty and regional security, calling the mandate's end a significant development. President Aoun expressed hope for deepening "ambitious" bilateral relations, viewing the visit as a pivotal moment for regional reconstruction and renewed partnership.

Turkey, possessing NATO's second-largest army, has been expanding its military presence, raising concerns about increased proximity to Israel, especially after the U.S. withdrawal from Syria in February. This shift has destabilized the region and allowed hostile actors, including Turkey, to approach Israel's borders more closely.