Turkish presence in Syria poses threat to Israel due to Ankara’s NATO combat doctrine, expert warns

Dr. Eitan Hai Cohen, an expert, warned that Turkey's military presence in Syria, coupled with its NATO combat doctrine, poses a significant threat to Israel. Cohen highlighted Turkey's growing economic and strategic ties with Washington in Syria, positioning Ankara as a mediator between Syria and the United States. He noted Turkey's economic interest in Syria's reconstruction, particularly through its strong construction sector, and its role in training Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and advocating for the removal of US sanctions on Syria. Cohen also pointed to a military development in northeastern Syria where, after Syrian forces took control of oil wells, an American company, Chevron, signed an agreement with the Syrian state oil company, suggesting a new US foothold facilitated by Turkey. He cautioned that if the US does not intervene, Turkey will continue its expansion, leveraging its legal agreements and military capabilities. Cohen emphasized that "Turkey's way of warfare is not that of some rickety Arab country, but rather NATO's way of warfare," indicating a high standard of military prowess. He concluded that recent Israeli strikes in Syria were a "red line, an Israeli declaration that Israel does not want to see any kind of Turkish presence in central Syria," hoping this message would also be understood in Washington.