Turkey Expands Military Presence in Syria Amid Growing Cooperation with Assad Ally

Turkey has been deepening its cooperation with Syrian rebel leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, strengthening its military foothold in northern Syria. Over the past year, Israel has remained silent on reported Israeli strikes targeting Syrian sites intended for transfer to Turkey, preferring to keep the conflict under the radar. Professor Eyal Zisser of Tel Aviv University explains that Turkey's presence in Syria dates back to the previous decade, having supported al-Sharaa's rise among the rebels and now seeking to expand its influence deeper into Syrian territory.

Al-Sharaa, while aspiring to independent leadership, relies heavily on Turkish military support due to his weak position and Syria's fragmented state. Turkey's offer to deploy advanced air defense systems in Syria serves both countries' interests, with the Trump administration reportedly supportive of this arrangement as it stabilizes the region and backs al-Sharaa. This cooperation reflects a strategic alignment between Turkey and Syrian rebel factions, with implications for regional security and Israeli concerns.

The podcast also references a related episode discussing the recent influx of migrants into Ceuta, highlighting broader regional dynamics involving Morocco and Spain.