On one hand, Ankara publicly supports any initiative promoting stability and reconstruction in Syria. On the other hand, it maintains strict red lines—chief among them: no legitimacy for armed Kurdish groups, especially the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which Turkey views as a branch of the terrorist-designated PKK.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been cautious in his language. When asked about Syria possibly joining the Abraham Accords and opening talks with Israel, he replied diplomatically: “Turkey supports anything that strengthens peace and ensures a better future for Syria.” But behind this wording lies a clear message—general support for peace, without compromising Turkey’s core interests.

Tensions have risen since a recent agreement between the Syrian interim government and the SDF, which calls for Kurdish fighters to integrate into the Syrian army. For Turkey, this is not just a security threat—it risks granting international legitimacy to a group it sees as terrorist. Erdoğan has already accused the Kurds of violating the agreement and warned that Turkey will respond to any move that crosses its red lines.

At the same time, Turkey is pursuing its own strategic agenda in northern Syria. It is working to establish seven permanent military bases in areas controlled by pro-Turkish militias. Ankara envisions northern Syria not only as a buffer zone against Kurdish threats but also as a platform for expanding its economic and political influence—through free trade zones, logistics hubs, and joint markets. Erdoğan calls this strategy “stability through presence.”

Still, Ankara is not seeking confrontation. Rather, it is trying to shape the regional agenda quietly. One initiative includes a regional anti-ISIS coalition, involving Syria, Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon, with a coordination center in Damascus—allowing Turkey to stay engaged in security matters without being sidelined.

Behind the scenes, quiet talks—initiated by President Trump—have taken place in Azerbaijan between Israeli and Turkish officials. The aim: to avoid friction between Israeli operations against Iranian and Hezbollah forces in Syria and Turkish interests in the north. Israel also wants to prevent jihadist attacks from Syrian territory toward the Golan Heights.

While no official agreements have been reached, the fact that talks are happening shows mutual recognition that managing the Syrian theater requires coordination.

In conclusion, Erdoğan is unlikely to openly oppose U.S.-led normalization between Syria and Israel—especially if it begins with a security pact—but he will insist that Turkey’s security concerns be addressed. If ignored, Ankara may retaliate—perhaps not openly, but decisively.

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Yoni Ben Menachem, A NEWSRAEL Contributor, is a Middle East senior analyst ,a journalist and the former CEO of the Israel Broadcasting Authority(IBA). He has decades of experience in written and video journalism. Ben Menachem’s path in the media world began as a producer for Japanese television in the Middle East. After that, he held many key positions in the media: The CEO of the Israel Broadcasting Authority, director of “Kol Israel” Radio, reporter on West Bank and Gaza Strip affairs, political reporter and commentator, commentator on Middle East affairs and editor-in-chief and presenter of the program “Middle East Magazine”.