Turkey seeks to establish a base in Syria to monitor the Kurdish forces and Israeli influence

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Turkey’s military presence in Syrian territory gives Ankara the ability to influence events in areas such as the Euphrates basin and other regions witnessing struggles for influence between regional powers.

Ankara continues to study the establishment of a military base in Syria at the request of the Syrian government, with the aim of bolstering Turkish influence in the region, strengthening its strategic role in confronting regional crises, as well as countering the Kurdish threat and the growing Israeli influence. This base would also support new Syrian authorities considered loyal to Turkey.

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According to statements from the Turkish Ministry of Defense, the goal of this base is to train the Syrian army in line with the needs of the new Syrian government, which has started to reorganize the country’s security and political landscape following significant changes in the ruling system. This move comes at a critical time, as Turkish interests intersect with security challenges, including the Kurdish threat and the rising Israeli influence in the region.

The planned Turkish base in Syria is part of enhancing security coordination between Turkey and Syria after recent changes in Damascus. After Syrian factions took control of the capital Damascus on December 8, 2024, and with the appointment of Ahmad al-Shara as the head of the transitional phase in January 2025, the new Syrian government began implementing broad restructuring measures, including the dissolution of armed factions, security agencies, and the Ba’ath Party, as well as the abolition of the constitution. This radical change provided Turkey with the opportunity to actively participate in shaping Syria’s security and military policies, in line with its interests in the region.

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According to Turkish sources, coordination with the Syrian government and other regional governments led to an agreement to create a joint operations center to combat terrorism, particularly the threat of ISIS. Through these agreements, Ankara plans to provide military and training support to the Syrian army, thus enhancing its ability to influence Syria’s internal security.

Establishing a Turkish military base in Syria represents a strategic step to enhance Turkish influence in the Middle East. Turkey, which sees itself as a key player in the Syrian conflict, aims to achieve multiple objectives through this base.

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Turkey closely monitors what is happening in northern Syria, where it faces the growing influence of Kurdish forces, particularly the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), supported by the United States. This Kurdish influence poses a direct threat to Turkish national security, especially as there are concerns that strengthening Kurdish capabilities in the region could lead to enhanced Kurdish demands for autonomy or independence.

By establishing a military base in Syria, Turkey aims to enhance its ability to monitor Kurdish movements in border areas, thereby strengthening its military position on the ground and countering any potential threats arising from these movements.

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On the other hand, Israel continues to strengthen its role in the Middle East, particularly through its support for minorities, especially the Druze and Kurds in Syria. These Israeli actions represent another challenge for Turkey, which seeks to strengthen its military presence in Syria to counter the growing Israeli influence.

This Turkish military presence on Syrian soil gives Ankara the ability to influence events in areas like the Euphrates basin and other regions caught in struggles for influence between regional powers. Through this base, Turkey hopes to counterbalance Israeli influence and achieve a strategic balance against other regional powers.

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At the same time, Turkey seeks to support Syria’s territorial integrity and help the new Syrian government regain control of all Syrian territories. Maintaining Syria’s unity and applying its authority over all lands is crucial for Ankara, as it strengthens its political and strategic position in the region.

This approach enables Turkey to influence Syrian affairs and play a central role in any future negotiations concerning Syria’s future, while ensuring its military and political presence in the country.

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In exclusive statements, Turkish military expert, retired Colonel Ahmed Kamal, confirmed that “the Turkish military base in Syria will allow Ankara to achieve a strategic balance with other regional parties, including Iran and Israel.” He added, “Turkey considers national security to be closely linked to regional security, and therefore, strengthening its military presence in Syria is a necessary step.”

Syrian political researcher Fahd al-‘Amar said in an interview with the Syrian newspaper “Al-Watan”: “Turkey’s support for the Syrian army comes at a critical time for the authority in Damascus, which needs a strong ally in facing the security and economic challenges it faces after years of war. However, questions remain about Damascus’s willingness to accept Turkish influence on the ground, especially with ongoing concerns about Kurdish movements in the north.”

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Despite Ankara’s clear objectives for establishing a military base in Syria, several challenges could hinder this move. First, there is still divergence in the positions of different Syrian parties, with some Syrian political and military factions potentially opposing the presence of Turkish forces on Syrian soil. Second, any escalation in relations with Kurdish forces could lead to increased violence in border regions, further complicating the security situation.

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