The Turkish newspaper Aydınlık published an article by writer Doğu Akdeniz outlining Israel’s strategic plan to divide Syria in pursuit of its expansionist ambitions — a scheme that may eventually trigger a military confrontation with Turkey.
According to the report, translated by Arabi21, Israel has been working since the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime to undermine the strategic capabilities of the Syrian army. It has now entered a new phase aimed at keeping Syria in a state of instability and extending Israeli influence in the region by exploiting the country’s religious and ethnic diversity.
Akdeniz emphasised that Syria’s diverse ethnic and sectarian makeup has long shaped the country’s internal dynamics. Western-backed sectarian fragmentation has deepened these divisions and heightened tensions throughout the country.
He pointed to the growing influence of Kurdish factions in northern Syria, particularly the rise of the YPG (People’s Protection Units), which has emerged as a dominant force backed directly by the United States and several Western states. This, he argued, is part of a push to impose a separatist reality on the ground by establishing a quasi-autonomous entity.
According to Akdeniz, such a project poses a serious threat to Syria’s territorial unity, marginalises other communities, and aligns with American geopolitical interests. It also directly serves Israel’s strategic goals by laying the groundwork for the creation of what he calls a “terror state” on Syria’s northern border.
Beyond Iran: The True Motives Behind Israel’s Escalation in Syria
The article asserts that Israel’s recent escalation in Syria is not solely aimed at countering Iranian influence. Rather, it is part of a broader effort to reshape the regional balance of power in line with Israel’s long-term expansionist vision.
Akdeniz states that Tel Aviv is actively seeking to mobilise the Druze population in southern Syria as a strategic tool within the so-called “Druze-Israeli Corridor Project.” This project aims to establish a security buffer zone around the occupied Golan Heights and to solidify Israel’s military and security control over the area.
One of Tel Aviv’s major ambitions, he notes, is the proposed Ben Gurion Canal — a project intended to connect the Red Sea and the Mediterranean as an alternative to Egypt’s Suez Canal. This would bolster Israel’s dominance over trade and energy routes in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Akdeniz links these moves to the so-called “Greater Israel Project,” suggesting that Tel Aviv, under its Zionist religious and historical narrative, seeks control over strategic regions in southern Syria under the pretext of reclaiming the “Promised Land.”
The Kurdish Decision and Its Strategic Implications
The article highlights that the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)’s recent announcement of its withdrawal from armed activity in Iraq has had a direct impact on the security dynamics in both Iraq and Syria — and significantly altered Israel’s calculations.
According to Akdeniz, the decline of the PKK’s role has pushed Israel to revise its strategy in Syria. To maintain its influence, Israel is now relying on alternative local forces or, if necessary, direct military intervention under the pretext of preserving “national security.”
He argues that Israel’s military involvement in Syria is unlikely to stop and will continue as part of a larger effort to redraw the region’s geopolitical map in a way that serves its far-reaching interests.
Rising Likelihood of Military Confrontation with Turkey
Akdeniz warns that Israel is attempting to establish a geographic corridor extending from southern to northern Syria, to expand its regional influence and enable the implementation of plans that go beyond Syrian borders and reach the Turkish frontier.
He stresses that Israel’s grip on this geographic belt relies on a combination of military, diplomatic, and social tools designed to weaken the Syrian state and create a loyal regime — mirroring previous regional scenarios.
This strategy, he notes, poses a direct threat not only to Syria’s sovereignty but also to Turkey’s national security, particularly given that the so-called “promised borders” encompass 22 Turkish provinces.
Akdeniz concludes that the possibility of a military clash between Ankara and Tel Aviv is closer than ever. If Israel continues down this path, it may face a significant defeat, as Turkey — with its considerable military and diplomatic strength — will not remain passive in the face of any direct existential threat.
