Damascus: Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is trying to become the leader of the Islamic world, is going to get a big shock. He is going to get this shock from Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara. Leading the Syrian extremist group HTS, Shara captured power in Syria by removing Bashar al-Assad in December last year. Turkey had supported Ahmed Shara in the war against the Assad regime, but now after six months, the Syrian President is now trying to get rid of Erdogan. For this, he is preparing to improve relations with Turkey's arch rival Israel.
Reports say that Syria under Shara's leadership is considering joining the Abraham Accords with Israel. This has given the Turkish President sleepless nights. Dr. Hay Eytan Cohen Yanarouk of Tel Aviv University's Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies told the Hebrew-language Israeli newspaper Maariv that Ahmed al-Shara is actually trying to reduce Turkey's influence.
Syria moving closer to Israel
Although Shara does not want to completely end relations with Turkey, moving under Israeli influence has increased Ankara's concern. Erdogan's biggest concern is the possibility of Syria joining the Abraham Accords with Israel. Turkey sees every step taken by Syria towards joining the Abraham Accords as a direct threat to its regional position, which is important for it to become the leader of the Islamic world.
Why is Ahmed al-Shara doing this?
Israeli expert Yanarokkac says that there should be no misunderstanding about Shara that he is taking such a step in support of Jews, rather he is doing so because it will give him a kind of independence from Turkey. Close relations with Israel open the doors for the new Syrian government to remove sanctions and contact with rich Gulf countries.
How strong is Turkey in Syria?
Shara may be making this effort, but it is wrong to think that Turkey will let it happen easily. Turkey has strengthened its influence in Syria after December 2024. After the fall of the Assad regime, the Turkish intelligence agency made an official visit to Syria. Yanarokkac said that northern Syria is still effectively occupied by Turkey. Turkey provides infrastructure for airports and transportation within Syria.
Turkish President Erdogan has his eyes set on becoming the leader of the Islamic world. He dreams of a Turkish caliphate, but Iran remains an obstacle in its path. However, after Israel's recent attack on Iran, Turkey may now be preparing to label itself as the only Muslim power in the Middle East. But if Syria slips out of hand once again, Erdogan's plans could be ruined.
