A new geopolitical reality is unfolding in the Middle East. The tension between Turkey and Israel is not only straining bilateral relations but is also deeply affecting the regional balance, especially in Syria. Bedran Ciya Kurd, advisor to the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, answered the ANF's questions regarding Turkey’s military plans in Syria, Israel’s interventions, the impact of these developments on the region, and the place of both the Democratic Autonomous Administration and the Kurds within this evolving equation.

Recently, there has been serious diplomatic tension between Israel and Turkey. How do you, as North and East Syria, evaluate this crisis?

Syria holds a geopolitically important position in the Middle East. For this reason, regional and global powers are trying to establish themselves here in various ways: to protect their interests and use the region as a strategic point of influence. In the past, Syria was fragmented among several regional and international powers. These powers were operating across Syrian territory to implement their own projects and to bring about changes in the region. However, with the collapse of the Baath regime, the picture changed entirely, and the old balance of power, which had lasted for years, was disrupted. Regional powers played a significant role in this process. Today, in light of the developments on the ground and broader political shifts, the powers that hold influence in Syria are trying to impose a new balance over the geography and politics of the region.

Turkey is one of these powers, seeking to impose its political, military, and economic presence and influence in Syria. It is also trying to establish dominance over the so-called Syrian Interim Government. This aggressive activism by Turkey directly affects the views and interests of other regional states—one of which is Israel. Israel sees Turkey’s excessive regional expansion as a threat to its own security from a military perspective. In the past, it has suffered several blows from Hamas and Hezbollah.

Israel wants Syria to remain weak and fragmented. It is not satisfied with merely disarming Syria; it does not want any actor or military group—particularly Turkey—to gain strength there. This is because Turkey is the main supporter of the Syrian Interim Government and provides aid and backing to political Islamist and Salafist groups. Israel views political Islam, in all its forms, as a serious threat to its national security. For this reason, it does not tolerate the presence of a strong and organized political Islamist force in Syria. Moreover, Arab states are also displeased with the expansion and deepening of influence by Islamist groups and by Turkey in Syria.

It is said that Turkey plans to establish new military bases in addition to its existing ones in Syria. What concrete information do you have about this?

There is confirmed information that Turkey intends to establish new military bases in Syria, and these bases are planned to be built deeper inside Syrian territory, aiming to assert dominance over the entire geography of Syria. The purpose behind this move is to control vital routes and economic projects in which Syria, as a central state, should be a key player. Turkey has already sent numerous specialists and military equipment to several Syrian regions, including Hama and Tadmor. These deployments are part of preparations for building military bases equipped with advanced and diverse weaponry. Undoubtedly, this will become part of Turkey’s broader military support for groups with Islamist ideologies, which currently control much of Syrian territory. In light of recent regional developments, this policy is not receiving recognition or legitimacy at the international level.

Israel has carried out airstrikes on areas where Turkey is reportedly planning to establish new military bases. How do you interpret the timing of these attacks? What message is being sent to Turkey?

The aim of Israel’s recent military attacks on Syria a few days ago was to limit Turkey’s influence in the country. Turkey is pursuing various strategies to expand its presence in Syria. It is seeking to strengthen its military and intelligence role through agreements with the Syrian government in Damascus and to shape the formation of a new Syrian army through the involvement of expert military advisors.

Turkey has entered Damascus with a significant military and security presence, and it has expanded excessively in order to impose its presence and control over security matters in Syria. Undoubtedly, this also reflects Turkey’s effort to establish a strong economic presence through companies and investments, as a step toward benefiting from Syria’s resources and initiating the reconstruction process.

Turkey’s presence and growing influence pose a serious threat to the region in general—and especially to Israel. Israel will not allow other countries to establish themselves near its borders or to seize control of Syria’s rich resources. Israel played a key role in the collapse of the Assad regime by defeating Hezbollah forces in Lebanon and limiting Iran’s influence. For this reason, it will not allow Turkey to expand its influence in place of Iran, since the dangers posed by Turkey to the Middle East and to Israel’s security are no less serious than those posed by Iran.

Israel has made statements in the past and recently as well, suggesting that it would support the Kurds. What is your view on Israel’s policy toward the Kurds?

As the Autonomous Administration and Kurdish forces, we welcome any regional or international power that contributes to the stability of Syria and the region, accelerates the path toward a political solution in Syria, and prevents division and the escalation of tensions.

How will the tension between Turkey and Israel affect North and East Syria? How do you assess your position in light of the regional balance?

The tensions unfolding in Syria directly affect all peoples and regions of the country, including us. Even though we are protecting our areas through various direct and indirect means, the instability within Syria will inevitably impact our own security and stability as well. We want the international powers present in Syria to serve as forces of stability. They should not turn Syria into a battleground to resolve their own rivalries or a space to exploit the region’s resources at the expense of Syrian blood.

Regional powers must respect Syria’s sovereignty, withdraw from its territory, and refrain from interfering in its internal affairs. The Syrian people are capable of finding common ground among themselves and resolving disputes through dialogue and constructive engagement. Therefore, Syria’s neighboring countries—especially Turkey—must cease interfering in Syria’s internal affairs. Such negative interference only complicates the situation further, distances us from a solution, and prolongs the resolution process. This is why any real solution in Syria must begin with Turkey’s military withdrawal and the end of its interventions in Syria’s political and internal matters.

As the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, what kind of diplomatic stance are you taking regarding the Israel-Turkey tension?

In North and East Syria, we consider ourselves an essential national force in the pursuit of a national solution for Syria. Both in the past and today, we have presented numerous proposals for a comprehensive and sustainable political solution in Syria. However, the forces currently in control of Damascus, both previously and now, have shown no willingness to engage in a solution and have ignored the proposals we have put forward. Today, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)—which represent the North and East Syria region both politically and militarily—can serve as a central pillar in promoting stability and security throughout Syria. For this reason, we call on all components within Syria and the Syrian people as a whole to participate in developing a comprehensive national dialogue. We believe this dialogue will lay the foundation for a lasting solution in the country, and that no alternative approach can succeed.

How will the rivalry between Israel and Turkey affect their relations with other actors in the region, such as Iran, Russia, the United States (US), and Arab countries?

Every conflict and every escalation in the region, especially those between Turkey and Israel, will push all actors to seek opportunities to expand their presence and protect their interests in Syria. Undoubtedly, all of this will come at the expense of the safety and well-being of the Syrian people. These developments will open the door to renewed instability, trigger new waves of displacement, and prolong the path toward a comprehensive political solution in the country.

Today, Russia’s influence is weaker than it once was; however, it may attempt to regain its foothold in Syria by strengthening its ties with Israel, reducing its confrontations with the United States, and pursuing a cautious rapprochement with Damascus. Iran has been the most affected by the recent shifts in Syria, and its influence in the country has significantly diminished. Iran is now facing several other challenges beyond the Syrian crisis, and it is likely to use any opportunity or moment of weakness to reassert its presence in Syria—whose geography it considers to be of strategic importance. At the same time, many European countries oppose any Iranian presence in Syria. Yet, they also view Turkey’s growing influence with similar concern. For this reason, they may seek to safeguard their interests through alignment with the United States and Israel.

How do you see the future of Turkey-Israel relations? How might this rivalry unfold in the coming period?

The situation in Syria—and the change in the regime in Damascus—has had a profound impact on both the region and the wider world. Given Syria’s strategic geopolitical location in the Middle East, it plays a key role in shaping regional and global dynamics. If instability and chaos in Syria continue to deepen, this will inevitably affect neighboring countries and reshape the existing balance of power across the region. Therefore, sustainable and lasting solutions must be found within Syria to preserve the stability and security of the region.

The ongoing tension between Israel and Turkey will have a significant impact on Syria. Turkey’s current political strategy in Syria is deepening contradictions. Its hostility towards the Kurds and the Autonomous Administration, its repeated attacks on our regions, and its broader ambition to expand across all of Syrian territory have opened the door to renewed confrontation with Israel. If Turkey insists on imposing its hegemony and continues its political and military support for political Islam, this tension could spread across a much larger geographic area. For this reason, resolving the conflict and reducing tensions will require Turkey to withdraw fully and unconditionally from Syrian territory and end all interference in Syria’s internal affairs.

In conclusion, there is a growing reality that the Middle East is entering a period of transformation, and the international community is searching for lasting and stable solutions in the region. This is being driven by the support of major powers and a desire to initiate large-scale economic projects. However, these efforts will not succeed under the shadow of Turkey’s regional competition and expansionist ambitions towards strategically important countries such as Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon. Following a possible ceasefire in Ukraine, shifts in global power dynamics may further limit Turkey’s ability to intervene in eastern Syria, as its ambitions will be increasingly viewed as a threat to the interests of both regional and global powers.