Why the U.S., Israel, and Turkey Seek to Demilitarize Syria's Defense

Syria's strategic location and its alliances have made it a focal point for major geopolitical powers like the United States, Israel, and Turkey. These nations have shown a vested interest in reducing Syria’s defense capabilities, primarily to secure their strategic objectives, mitigate perceived threats, and reshape the regional power dynamics.

1. U.S. Interests: Limiting Iran and Countering Extremism

The U.S. aims to curb Iranian influence in Syria, where Tehran has established military bases and supplied weapons to allied groups like Hezbollah. These activities are viewed as a direct threat to U.S. allies, particularly Israel, and a destabilizing factor in the region. Additionally, the U.S. has focused on ensuring the defeat of extremist groups like ISIS while maintaining control over northeastern Syria’s resource-rich regions. By weakening Syria’s defense systems, the U.S. seeks to limit Iran’s ability to use Syrian territory as a launchpad for regional influence and to protect its coalition forces operating in the area.

2. Israel’s Security Concerns: Countering Hezbollah and Iran

For Israel, Syria serves as a key arena for countering threats from Hezbollah and Iranian military forces. Iranian-backed militias in Syria have been accused of amassing sophisticated weaponry near Israel’s borders, including advanced missile systems. Demilitarizing Syria would weaken these forces and hinder Iran’s ability to supply arms to Hezbollah in Lebanon. Israel has frequently conducted airstrikes in Syria, targeting military facilities and supply routes associated with Iran, aiming to dismantle a perceived encirclement strategy.

3. Turkey’s Geopolitical Calculations: Neutralizing Kurdish Forces

Turkey’s primary concern lies with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), whom Ankara considers linked to the PKK, a group designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey. Ankara views a militarily strong Syria as an obstacle to its efforts to secure its borders and prevent Kurdish autonomy near Turkish territory. By supporting demilitarization, Turkey seeks to diminish Kurdish influence and gain leverage in negotiations with both Syria and global powers. Simultaneously, Turkey hopes to prevent Syrian refugees from becoming a long-term issue by creating conditions for their eventual return.

4. Broader Geopolitical Implications

The shared interest in Syria’s demilitarization reflects broader geopolitical strategies. For the U.S., reducing Syrian and Iranian capabilities helps maintain its influence in the Middle East while undermining adversaries like Russia, which supports the Assad regime. Turkey, on the other hand, faces a delicate balancing act between aligning with NATO allies and maintaining cooperative ties with Russia, which mediates some of its engagements in Syria. Meanwhile, Israel sees its actions as a necessary step to preserve regional stability and deter future conflicts.

5. Challenges and Potential Outcomes

Despite their shared interest, these nations face challenges in achieving their goals. Syria’s alliances with Iran and Russia provide significant backing to its defense capabilities. Moreover, efforts to demilitarize Syria risk creating a power vacuum that could further destabilize the region. As competing interests collide, the situation remains complex, with diplomacy, military interventions, and proxy conflicts shaping the outcomes.

In conclusion, the motivations of the U.S., Israel, and Turkey to demilitarize Syria’s defense are rooted in their respective national security goals, regional strategies, and attempts to curtail adversarial influences. However, achieving these objectives involves navigating a highly volatile geopolitical landscape with competing interests and high stakes.