A four-hour meeting in Paris between Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani, hosted by U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Thomas Burke, marked a rare diplomatic encounter. Despite media efforts, no details of the discussion were disclosed, not even the precise location in Paris.
This meeting was undeniably significant. It was the first high-level Israeli-Syrian contact in 25 years, since former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak met Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa, cousin of Syria’s current President Ahmad al-Sharaa, in the U.S. town of Shepherdstown.
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Turkish influnce now slowly growing in Syria
( Photo: Haj Suleiman/Getty Images, IDF Spokesperson's Unit , Abdulaziz KETA, Marc Israel Sellem, AP/Alex Brandon/Matias Delacroix, Andrew Harnik/AFP)
The only statement came from Ambassador Burke, who described the talks as conducted in a “positive atmosphere” and noted an agreement to continue such meetings. The vague announcement left unclear whether this signals the start of regular talks, who will participate or where and when they will occur.
Yet the meeting itself carries weight, especially given its timing—just days after Israeli airstrikes targeted buildings linked to security institutions in Damascus and its suburbs. Israel appears unconvinced by the Syrian president’s pledge to avoid attacking or waging wars with Syria’s neighbors.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a longstanding backer of Syria’s president from his days leading the terrorist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, was briefed on the talks. Erdogan warned that anyone attempting to “undermine Syria’s unity or fragment it into cantons,” would face Turkey’s wrath.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, his close ally, escalated the rhetoric by saying “we won’t hesitate to use force,” cautioning Israel against military action and accusing it of using the Druze community as a pretext to “fuel chaos” in Syria. Fidan claimed Israel seeks to destabilize Syria, asserting that a strong and stable Syria is not in Israel’s interest.
Turkey is positioning itself to fill the void left by Iran’s forces in Syria. While no Turkish troops have entered Syria yet, both Ankara and Damascus are discussing a joint defense agreement. This would allow Erdogan to supply not only light and heavy weapons but also “instructors,” “trainers” and senior military officers to the Syrian army. In essence, Turkey is preparing to replace Iran’s military presence in Syria.
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Israeli officials view Turkey as a greater threat than Iran’s military footprint in Syria. If Turkey fully engages, it could severely impact Syria’s Kurdish, Alawite and Druze communities. For now, Turkey is training Syrian soldiers on its territory, supplying military equipment and issuing directives to Syrian army commanders.
Burke said he will not interfere with Syria’s decisions but advised caution in deepening ties with Turkey. His firm tone suggests Washington is uneasy about Ankara’s swift moves in Syria and the threats issued by Erdogan and Fidan against Israel.
Syria has unexpectedly risen on the U.S. agenda. President Donald Trump claimed he has built a relationship of trust with Erdogan, saying, “He will do whatever I ask of him.”
Smadar PerryPhoto: Yariv KatzSyria, meanwhile, insisted during the Dermer-al-Shibani meeting that it has no intention of interfering in Israel’s affairs but “strongly requests” Israel’s withdrawal from its territory. Al-Assad has privately told foreign visitors that Israel is pushing to weaken Syria.
In contrast, Turkey seeks a comprehensive defense pact with Syria. Ankara is reportedly eyeing control over the airport in the Syrian city of al-Hama. This ambition should remind Syria’s president of Iran’s initial steps toward dominance.
While Turkey has no immediate plans to attack Israel, all possibilities must be considered. Erdogan could become a far graver and closer threat than Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Israel must remain vigilant about Turkey’s growing influence in Syria.