IDF Warns Turkey Is Becoming a Hostile Power Amid Rising Tensions Over Syrian Presence

Israeli security officials held a tense discussion overnight with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding Turkey's expanding military presence in Syria. They warned that Turkey is shifting from a rival to a potential enemy state. A senior officer told Channel 13 that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan aims to become the Sunni leader of the Middle East by controlling Syria and Gaza and supporting the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and Jordan.

The Israeli defense establishment is concerned about Turkey, a regional power and NATO member, opening a new front against Israel. Officials believe Erdogan seeks to capitalize on the weakening of the Iranian-Shia axis to assert leadership over the Sunni Muslim world. This is particularly alarming given Turkey's NATO membership and Erdogan's close ties to then-US President Donald Trump.

Earlier, Turkey requested Interpol to issue international arrest warrants for dozens of Israelis, including Netanyahu, citing Israel's takeover of the Gaza-bound Somoud flotilla three months ago. Netanyahu responded by calling Erdogan an "anti-Semitic dictator" who supports Hamas and vowed to continue strong actions against Turkish attempts to destabilize the region.

On Tuesday, Israel confirmed it struck deep inside Syria targeting Turkish deployments near Aleppo after Damascus ignored warnings. The Israeli Prime Minister stated Israel will not tolerate Turkish military entrenchment threatening its security. IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir visited the Golan Heights and emphasized monitoring the Syrian front closely to prevent hostile forces from establishing a foothold.

US envoy to Syria and Washington's ambassador to Ankara, Tom Barrett, warned that Turkey was not forewarned of Israeli strikes and could have responded militarily. Meanwhile, Mossad chief David Barnea reportedly spoke with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani days before the Israeli operation, discussing Turkey's presence in Syria. Netanyahu reiterated Israel's clear message to Turkey: "Don’t" establish a military presence threatening Israel, adding that Israel ensured the message was unmistakably understood.