With five regional Arab countries… Türkiye announces the formation of a joint mechanism to counter Israeli threats centered in Syria

Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yilmaz announced the formation of a joint regional mechanism comprising Türkiye, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan, aimed at countering what he described as “Israeli threats that undermine strategic stability in the region”.

Yilmaz explained that this mechanism isn’t an alternative to the existing regional order, but rather aims to provide practical tools for coordination and support Syria in building its capabilities.

The Turkish official indicated that the mechanism would begin operation very soon, noting that the coordination center would be located in Syria, while stressing that all requests related to the missions would be issued by the Syrian side.

In the same context, Syrian President Ahmad al Sharaa met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on the sidelines of the Antalya Forum, where they discussed bilateral relations and several regional and international issues.

Erdoğan expressed his gratitude for thwarting attempts to spread chaos in Syria, stressing the importance of maintaining stability in the country.

He also affirmed his continued diplomatic efforts to lift international sanctions on Syria and enhance economic cooperation between the two countries.

The Antalya Forum, held in Türkiye under the theme “Embracing Diplomacy in a Divided World,” saw broad participation from heads of state and government and foreign ministers, with the Syrian issue a prominent focus of discussions.

Yilmaz’s statements regarding the establishment of the regional mechanism come at a sensitive time, as regional tensions escalate over Turkey’s growing influence in Syria following the fall of Assad regime in late 2024.

This Turkish move coincides with Israeli concerns about Turkish expansion in Syria, which prompted it to carry out a series of airstrikes on Turkish air bases inside Syrian territory.

Through this mechanism, Türkiye is attempting to strengthen its influence in Syria and create a regional balance that supports its political and economic interests in the region, with a focus on security and military cooperation.

This initiative is a strategic step aimed at strengthening Türkiye’s role in Syria and containing regional concerns, while Damascus seeks to achieve stability after years of devastating war and obtain external support to rebuild its institutions.

This mechanism is expected to contribute to strengthening Syria’s security institutions and supporting the country’s reconstruction, as well as enhancing cooperation between neighboring countries in addressing security and economic challenges.