WNAM REPORT: In his inaugral remarks at an event held by Institute of Regional Studies Islamabad, Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, President IRS, noted that there were increased airstrikes in Syria in defiance of the international law. Ambassador Jauhar highlighted that this escalation could result in the growing confrontation between Israel and Turkiye over Syria as the incumbent Syrian administration shared strong ties with Turkiye. He also pointed out that the weakening of Iran-backed militias in the Middle East had changed the balance of power in the region.
Dr Hasan Unal, Professor at Başkent University, observed that Turkiye had become increasingly vocal against Israeli actions in both Syria and Gaza. Dr Unal noted that in order to reinforce its stance, Turkiye needed to strengthen its ties with Iran, which had been downgraded since December 2024. Dr Unal highlighted that Syria would remain a factor in Turkiye-Iran bilateral relations. Nonetheless, the issue of Kurdish seperatism and statehood rendered these two countries natural allies. He felt that Turkiye need a balanced policy in the Middle East as it had exercised during the Ukraine crisis.
Dr Merve Suna, Vice Chair of the International Relations Department at Kırıkkale University, focused on the broader military and strategic landscape, particularly highlighting Israel’s regional objectives. She pointed out that since 1948, Israel had consistently worked on its expansionist agenda by extending its military footprints and targeting potential threats through preemptive strikes. Israel aimed to dismantle the military strength of Hezbollah and Iranian-linked militias by targeting weapon depots and military installations, she added. Dr Merve also elaborated that Israel viewed Turkiye as a growing regional threat, especially in the context of Turkiye’s military bases in Syria. Therefore, Israeli airstrikes in Syria were indirectly aimed at curbing Turkiye’s influence.
Mr Fraz Naqvi, Head of Iran Program at IRS, argued that since Ocotber 2023, Middle East had entered into a new phase of conflict with Israel expanding beyond its territory into Gaza, Southern Lebanon and now Syria.
