Israel is closely monitoring developments in Syria, but topping the list of concerns is Turkey, whose imperial ambitions and growing military-financial investments in Syria have brought it to the brink of friction with the Israel Defense Forces.
Rising fast on Israel’s threat matrix is the burgeoning alliance between Qatar and Turkey. Israeli intelligence officials describe it as a “strategic threat,” noting both countries host Hamas officials and enjoy sympathetic ears in the White House.
As of now, Turkey and Israel maintain a deconfliction mechanism in Syria. Israel’s red line, a ban on Turkish military bases, remains intact.
A senior Israeli diplomatic source told Israel Hayom that the Qatar-Turkey bond is a “natural” one in the Syrian context, adding that Qatar aims to assist the emerging post-war regime. “As of now, we haven’t seen troubling signs in Qatar’s involvement in Syria, but that could still change.”
On their bilateral ties, the source said, “There’s close tracking of these relations, which are openly discussed in Qatari dialogue with the Syrians, focusing on aid and investment. Israel is monitoring closely to ensure Syria remains committed to its obligations to the international community and harbors no hostile intentions toward its neighbors.”
Leading the axis
According to former Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat, now head of the Jerusalem-based Misgav Institute, “Turkey and Qatar are effectively leading the ‘Muslim Brotherhood axis.’”
Both, he continued, “have regional and global ambitions and the resources to support them. They play all sides, gaining from their roles as intermediaries. With Iran’s axis crumbling, Qatar and Turkey are moving into the vacuum. It’s no coincidence they were the first to open embassies in Damascus under the al-Julani regime and pushed for international recognition and Syria’s reconstruction,” referring to Syrian leader Abu Mohammed al-Julani, aka Ahmed Shara’a.
Even though Israel currently faces more immediate threats, “We must also look at the long term and ensure this axis doesn’t pose a tangible danger to our interests,” he said.
“In that context, Israel’s action in Syria to protect the Druze from al-Julani’s forces also serves this interest. It is better for Israel if the Druze control this strategic area rather than the al-Julani forces, who are backed by Turkey,” said Ben-Shabbat.
Alliance forged in crisis
The foundation of the Qatar-Turkey relationship dates back to the Gulf blockade imposed on Qatar in June 2017 by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt and others. The demands included downgrading ties with Tehran, severing connections with terrorist organizations (including the Muslim Brotherhood) and shutting down the Al Jazeera TV network, which had inflamed protests against Arab regimes, especially that of Hosni Mubarak in Egypt.
“Turkey saved Qatar during the embargo,” said Ilan Zalayat, Gulf states expert at Tel Aviv University’s Institute for National Security Studies. “Basic goods previously imported via Saudi Arabia reached Qatar through an air corridor from Turkey, bypassing the air, sea and land blockade.”
Today, this partnership is embodied in the thousands of Turkish troops stationed in Qatar.
Is the Erdogan-Qatar bond ideological?
“Ultimately, no,” said Zalayat. “They’re often cast as united under the Muslim Brotherhood banner. [Turkish President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan promotes the Islamization of Turkey and an Ottoman revival, but that doesn’t appeal to Qatar.
“Their relationship is highly pragmatic. Qatar acts as Turkey’s ATM for regional ambitions, especially in Libya and Syria,” Zalayat added. “Often, Qatar simply pays the bills, covering for Turkey’s limited economic ability to support its expanding regional footprint over the past decade.”
Whenever Turkey, a regional military power with a robust defense industry, enters a new conflict zone, Doha makes sure the checks clear, said Zalayat. “In return, the Qataris gain leverage and influence in those theaters,” he added.
Post-Assad Syria
The Turkish-Qatari partnership is particularly visible in post-Assad Syria. Ariel Admoni, a Qatar policy researcher at Bar-Ilan University, highlighted one initiative in particular. “This Monday, a humanitarian agreement is expected to be signed between Turkey and Qatar. It’s a code name for projects that appear benevolent, but allow funding of terrorist groups,” he said.
“Qatar won’t stop financing terrorism unless it faces U.S. pressure. Right now, Qatar’s image in Washington is at its peak, with near-total leeway on its terror ties,” he said.
Qatar quickly became a key financier of the new Syrian regime: $29 million to pay public sector salaries, a $7 billion energy project with Turkish firms and a slew of humanitarian ventures to help rebuild the Syria of Ahmed al-Sharaa.
“Qatar wants a major role in Syria’s recovery. They helped extinguish wildfires in Latakia, organized White Helmet training by Qatari police forces. They want the new Syrian entity to be dependent on them and will step in to meet every need,” Admoni added.
Erdogan’s heir?
Israel’s intelligence community is preparing for a leadership transition in Turkey, and one name already flagged as problematic is that of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Erdogan’s close confidant.
Fidan isn’t a typical politician; he’s the architect of Erdogan’s neo-Ottoman vision. He headed Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization for 13 years until 2023. He was the key back-channel operator with Syrian rebels pre-Assad, maintains strong ties with Hamas and was one of the first foreign officials to visit Damascus after the regime change.
German media even revealed his contacts with Qasem Soleimani, the assassinated commander of Iran’s Quds Force, underscoring his ability to navigate between all regional players. Among Israeli intelligence circles, he’s seen as one of Erdogan’s possible successors.
If he assumes the presidency while Turkey controls territory near the Israeli border, it could represent a genuine threat that might lead to direct conflict.
Originally published by Israel Hayom.
