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Turkey may change from rival to enemy amid Middle East shifts, security officials warn

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

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  • Israeli security officials warn that Turkey could shift from a "rival" to an "enemy" due to ongoing Middle East shifts and Turkey's pursuit of an anti-Israel Sunni axis.
  • Assessments indicate Turkey is seeking to strengthen regional alliances that are hostile to Israel, potentially working through various routes including Syrian territory and the Gaza Strip.
  • Israel is closely monitoring Turkey's actions and regional dynamics, including those between Lebanon and Syria, to prevent future threats.

Israeli security officials have issued a stark warning that Turkey could transition from being a "rival" to an "enemy" amid significant shifts in the Middle East. These assessments suggest that Turkey is actively seeking to strengthen a Sunni axis, which is perceived as being anti-Israel, thereby altering the regional strategic landscape.

Turkey is a “rival and not an enemy” to Israel, security officials said on Sunday, warning that the situation could change amid the ongoing shifts in the Middle East.

— Israeli security officialsDescribing the current relationship with Turkey and the potential for escalation.

According to intelligence assessments, Turkey is not only working to bolster this axis through Syrian territory but is also exploring additional routes, potentially including the Gaza Strip, to advance its regional objectives. This perceived alignment poses a growing concern for Israel's security establishment, which is closely monitoring these developments to preemptively counter any emerging threats.

According to assessments within the security establishment, Turkey seeks to strengthen a Sunni axis that is, among other things, anti-Israel.

— Israeli security officialsExplaining the perceived strategic goals of Turkey.

The officials also highlighted their vigilance regarding the dynamics between Lebanon and Syria. They are concerned that certain geographic areas could become lawless zones, posing future risks to Israel. This monitoring extends to Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who, despite public statements of moderation, is believed to harbor deep animosity towards Hezbollah and Iran, potentially seeking retribution for past conflicts.

According to assessments, the day is not far off when he will demand a price and seek revenge from them for the killing of his forces during the Syrian civil war under ousted president Bashar Assad, despite his statements expressing moderation and a desire for peace.

— Israeli security officialsAssessing the potential future actions of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Meanwhile, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani stated that talks with Israel have been halted following a recent strike in Syria, with no date set for their renewal. This diplomatic freeze adds another layer of complexity to the already tense regional relations. Israel's security apparatus remains focused on identifying and neutralizing threats at their earliest stages, a commitment underscored by recent actions and ongoing surveillance of regional actors.

Following the strike in Syria, talks with Israel had been halted and no date had been set for their renewal.

— Asaad al-ShaibaniSyrian Foreign Minister commenting on the halt in diplomatic talks with Israel.
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Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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