09.08.2026 06:30
The Israeli press wrote that Turkey has increased its military, economic, and political influence in Syria. The Maariv newspaper claimed that Turkey maintains more than 20,000 soldiers and security personnel in northwestern Syria, while arguing that Ankara, through the cooperation it has developed with the Damascus administration in defense, trade, energy, transportation, infrastructure, and investment, has created a new balance of power in the region.
Türkiye's steps in the Middle East and the Mediterranean continue to receive wide coverage in the Israeli press. The Israeli-based Maariv newspaper argued that Türkiye's weight in the region is being felt more and more, and made striking assessments regarding Ankara's Syria policy.
In the news published under the headline "The Turkish move that worries Israel," it was claimed that Türkiye filled the vacuum that emerged in Syria after the fall of the Assad regime and became one of the country's most influential military, economic, and political powers.
CLAIM OF MORE THAN 20,000 SOLDIERS
Maariv claimed that Türkiye has more than 20,000 soldiers and security personnel in northwestern Syria. The newspaper alleged that these forces are supported by logistical capabilities, air support, advanced military equipment, and missile defense systems.
The news stated that the military cooperation agreement signed between Türkiye and Syria in August 2025 is one of the significant steps of this structuring. It was noted that the agreement in question covers cooperation in the fields of counter-terrorism, mine clearance, cyber defense, military engineering, and logistics.
"ANKARA IS PREPARING TO ESTABLISH A COMPREHENSIVE PARTNERSHIP"
According to the news in the Star newspaper, the Israeli press claimed that Türkiye is also taking an active role in the restructuring of the Syrian army. The news stated that Turkish military advisors are helping to establish the command structure and war doctrine of the Syrian army.
Writing that Turkish military delegations regularly hold meetings with Ministry of Defense officials in Damascus, Maariv also reported that Ankara appointed a military attaché to Damascus to follow the implementation of the plans.
Drawing attention to the fact that the cooperation between Türkiye and Syria is not limited to the military field, the newspaper claimed that Ankara and Damascus are preparing to establish a comprehensive partnership in the fields of trade, energy, transportation, infrastructure, and investment.
"A NEW BALANCE OF POWER IS BEING ESTABLISHED"
Maariv argued that Ankara has become one of the central actors in Syria's reconstruction with the connections it has established in the fields of the army, economy, energy, transportation, education, and diplomacy.
The news included the following assessment regarding the possible consequences of Türkiye's increasing influence on regional balances:
"This situation also brings with it the possibility that Türkiye will fill a significant part of the influence left by Iran in the region and create a new regional axis through Syria."
The Israeli press stated that Türkiye's presence in Syria should not be evaluated solely through military structuring, using the following expressions: "In Syria, it is not only a new army that is being established, but a new balance of power supported by Türkiye's military strength, economy, and regional connections."