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Trump told Erdoğan US Syria exit depends on Turkey-Israel reconciliation: report

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US President Donald Trump has linked a potential US military withdrawal from Syria to a commitment from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to restore ties with Israel, according to a report by the Israeli news website Maariv, citing diplomatic sources from Washington.

Maariv reported that Trump conveyed to Erdoğan that a US pullout from Syria would be contingent on Turkey taking steps to repair relations with Israel, which have deteriorated sharply since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack and subsequent Israeli military operations in Gaza. Erdoğan has been one of the most vocal critics of Israel’s actions, severing trade ties while threatening further escalation. However, reports suggest that US pressure could push Ankara to reconsider its approach.

Israel’s public broadcaster Kan reported that senior White House officials recently informed their Israeli counterparts that Trump intends to withdraw the approximately 2,000 US troops currently stationed in Syria. The Pentagon announced in December that the US military had doubled its presence in Syria from 900 to 2,000 troops as part of efforts to combat the remnants of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

Trump has long advocated for reducing US military involvement in Syria and pledged during his campaign to end the American presence in the region. His administration previously attempted a withdrawal in 2018-2019, but the plan was scaled back after concerns were raised over its impact on allies, particularly the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which played a key role in the fight against ISIL.

Turkey has long opposed the US military partnership with the SDF, which Ankara views as linked to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). Turkish President Erdoğan has repeatedly called for American troops to leave Syria, arguing that their presence bolsters Kurdish factions he regards as security threats. A US withdrawal would potentially allow Turkey more latitude to move against these groups without risking direct confrontation with US forces.

Israeli media say Tel Aviv has expressed concern that a US withdrawal from Syria could embolden Iran-backed militias and leave Kurdish forces vulnerable to Turkish military operations. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, who visited Mount Hermon in Syria earlier this week, said the Israel Defense Forces would remain in the area “indefinitely” to prevent adversarial forces from establishing a foothold.

In May 2024 Turkey halted all direct trade with Israel in response to mounting domestic criticism of Israel’s military action in Gaza. However, the Turkish government has since then faced accusations and protests for continuing trade with Israel indirectly and secretly while adopting a harsh anti-Israeli rhetoric.

Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza following the Hamas attack on Israel in 2023 that resulted in the death of 1,206 people and the taking of some 250 hostages.

According to the health ministry in Gaza, the Israeli military has killed at least 46,707 Palestinians and wounded 110,265 since October 7, 2023. The death toll means that one out of every 50 people has been killed in Gaza. Many analysts and rights groups believe the real number killed is far higher.

report released by Amnesty International on December 5 concludes that Israel’s actions in Gaza qualify as genocide.

In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel must also answer to the International Court of Justice for genocide due to its war on Gaza.

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