According to reports from military journalists affiliated with Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Turkey has begun deploying military convoys into Syria’s central regions, with the apparent goal of establishing permanent bases in Homs and Damascus. This marks a significant escalation in Ankara’s military involvement in post-Assad Syria and has already triggered warnings from Israeli security officials.
The Turkish convoys—believed to be comprised of armored vehicles, engineering units, and logistics teams—are reportedly en route to strategic points that once housed Iranian-backed militias, now vacated following successful Israeli operations during the Iron Swords War.
Israeli Concerns: A New Adversary in Assad’s Wake
While Iranian forces have been largely neutralized in central Syria, Israel sees Turkey’s expansion as a potential new threat—especially given President Erdoğan’s growing ties to HTS leader and current Syrian interim president, Abu Mohammed al-Julani.
“Julani may wear a suit, but his ideology hasn’t changed,” said a senior Israeli intelligence official. “Turkey’s deployment into the heart of Syria, under the pretense of stabilization, is a thinly veiled attempt to reshape the region along Islamist lines.”
Israel is particularly alarmed by the possible establishment of Turkish military infrastructure within reach of the Israeli border—posing surveillance, airspace, and missile threats if left unchecked.
NATO Member, Islamist Ally?
Turkey’s expansionism raises troubling questions about NATO’s role and internal accountability. As a member of the alliance, Turkey enjoys access to advanced military technology and shared intelligence—yet continues to support Hamas, host terrorist leaders, and now seeks to entrench itself in Syria alongside a former al-Qaeda commander.
“We are witnessing a dangerous contradiction,” said a Western diplomat in Tel Aviv. “A NATO member is embedding with Islamist forces on Israel’s doorstep. This cannot be ignored.”
The developments also revive fears of Turkey lobbying to rejoin the U.S. F-35 fighter jet program, a move Israel strongly opposes given Ankara’s alliance with anti-Israel actors.
Strategic Shift in the Region
With Iranian influence in retreat and Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad deposed, the vacuum in Syria is quickly becoming a battleground for competing powers. Turkey’s latest move into Homs and Damascus is not just about military positioning—it signals a bid for long-term political and religious dominance in the region.
For Israel, it represents a red line.
“If Turkish troops become the new custodians of Syrian territory, Israel will take the necessary steps to defend its sovereignty and regional stability,” warned an Israeli security source.
