Ankara’s maneuver risks protecting Iran’s proxy while Israel and America push to weaken Hezbollah’s threat.
Turkey is reportedly working to prevent Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa from entering a direct confrontation with Hezbollah in Lebanon, despite Damascus viewing the Iranian-backed terror group as an enemy.
According to a Kan 11 News report, a Syrian official close to the regime said Turkey has recently advised al-Sharaa not to support efforts by Israel and Lebanon to weaken Hezbollah.
The report said Ankara fears that Hezbollah’s elimination would strengthen Israel, making Turkey reluctant to see Syria assist in dismantling the terror group’s influence.
The Turkish effort comes as a competing American push is underway. President Donald Trump has indicated that al-Sharaa may be willing to help in the campaign against Hezbollah. The Syrian president is expected to visit Washington next week, where Trump will reportedly seek his cooperation despite Turkish opposition.
The development follows another wave of hostile rhetoric from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who accused Israel of threatening the region through strikes in Syria and Lebanon. Erdogan warned against Israeli action in the Mediterranean and claimed Israel’s operations threaten the world.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired back, calling Erdogan an antisemitic dictator and accusing him of supporting Hamas, oppressing political rivals and committing atrocities against the Kurds.
Netanyahu stressed that Israel and the IDF will continue acting forcefully against Iran and its proxies, which threaten the Middle East and global stability.
The dispute highlights a growing regional divide: while Israel and America seek to weaken Hezbollah and Iran’s terror axis, Turkey appears determined to stop Syria from joining that effort.
