Tensions Rise in Tel Aviv as U.S. Plans Military Withdrawal from Syria

Israeli officials have expressed growing concern following Washington’s decision to initiate a phased withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria within the next two months, Israeli media reported on Monday.

According to the Hebrew daily Yedioth Ahronoth, American security officials have formally informed the Israeli army of the plan, which is reportedly set to begin in the near future. The move has sparked unease in Tel Aviv over fears of increased Turkish influence in post-war Syria.

Citing senior Israeli officials, the report noted that Tel Aviv is actively urging the U.S. administration to delay the pullout, arguing that the withdrawal could lead to strategic shifts in the region. Israeli authorities are particularly concerned that Turkiye will seize the opportunity to expand its military and political footprint in northern Syria.

The report emphasized that the decision was not unexpected. Former U.S. President Donald Trump had previously signaled intentions to exit Syria, reaffirming those plans on January 20. Still, the news has reignited anxieties in Israel about the geopolitical aftermath of such a move.

Israel views the U.S. military presence in Syria as a stabilizing factor and a counterbalance to regional rivals. Officials fear that the withdrawal could embolden Turkiye to assert control over key military assets and strengthen its alliance with the newly formed Syrian interim government, which has replaced the regime of Bashar Al-Assad following his ousting in late 2024.

The Israeli military has been active in Syria since Assad’s fall, conducting numerous airstrikes targeting former regime military bases, naval ports, and airfields. These operations have been justified as efforts to prevent advanced weaponry from falling into the hands of hostile factions.

Additionally, Israeli forces have reportedly expanded their operations in the buffer zone of the Golan Heights, consolidating control over disputed Syrian territory. The strategic implications of the U.S. withdrawal are now prompting further reassessment of Israel’s security posture in the region.

The deepening alliance between Turkiye and the interim Syrian government is also troubling for Israel. Ankara has positioned itself as a key supporter of the new administration in Damascus, raising concerns in Tel Aviv over Turkiye’s expanding role in shaping Syria’s future.

In a recent phone call, Trump attempted to ease Israeli concerns, telling Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he maintains “great relations” with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. “Any problem that you have with Turkiye, I think I can solve,” Trump said, according to the report. “As long as you’re reasonable, we have to be reasonable.”

Despite these assurances, Israeli leaders remain wary of the unfolding regional dynamics and are expected to continue lobbying Washington to reconsider or at least delay the military withdrawal.