Israel has expressed deep concern over President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw American troops from Syria, fearing it will enable Turkey to significantly expand its influence in the region.

Ynet reports that the US plans to begin a phased withdrawal of its troops from Syria within two months. Pentagon officials have been preparing for this scenario for months and have kept Israeli counterparts informed of their timeline for months.

Currently, US forces occupy several strategic locations across eastern and northern Syria, playing a crucial role in regional stability. Israeli security officials worry that once American troops depart, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will move quickly to seize control of key military installations, particularly the T-4 and Tadmur bases in the Palmyra region.

Israeli defense officials also view Trump’s friendly overtures toward Erdogan with alarm, particularly after his recent meeting with Netanyahu where the American president offered to mediate between Israel and Turkey.

Earlier this month, Israeli and Turkish representatives met in Azerbaijan to discuss implementing conflict avoidance mechanisms. During these talks, Israel emphasized that it holds Syria’s new government accountable for regional developments and warned that any security threats would provoke a military response.

Syria’s political landscape transformed dramatically in December when rebel fighters from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham overthrew Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Ahmad al-Sharaa, the group’s leader and former Al-Qaeda commander, has since fostered close ties with Erdogan. Israeli officials fear that any Turkish military presence in Syria could threaten their security, particularly near the strategically vital Golan Heights.