Military support, aid trucks and digital: Turkey's quiet foothold in Lebanon
Turkey is quietly establishing a foothold in Lebanon through extensive security assistance, civil projects, and humanitarian aid. While Ankara claims to support Lebanese state institutions, its involvement includes cooperation with entities linked to Hamas and a consistent anti-Israel stance.
Turkey is expanding its presence in Lebanon against the backdrop of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's recent statements that his country's security interests extend to Damascus and Beirut. Beyond diplomatic engagement, Ankara has established a significant foothold in Lebanon, blending military support with humanitarian and civilian influence.
Last July, senior Lebanese officials, including Prime Minister Najib Mikati and President Joseph Aoun, visited Turkey for talks with Erdogan. The discussions focused on regional stability, with the Turkish president expressing readiness to assist in the rehabilitation of southern Lebanon and participate in future security arrangements.
Military and Humanitarian Reach
Turkey has been providing military assistance to Lebanon since 2015, including ammunition, spare parts, and training programs for the Lebanese Armed Forces. Ankara has also played an active role in the UNIFIL mission in southern Lebanon since 2006.
Civilian influence is channeled through TIKA, Turkey's official development agency, which implements educational and technological projects. Recently, a technology lab was inaugurated in Beirut to develop digital skills among youth. However, TIKA's activities have drawn scrutiny in Israel: in 2017, a TIKA official in Gaza was arrested for working with Hamas, and in 2024, the IDF uncovered tunnel networks beneath a hospital built by the agency.
Crisis Response and Strategic Goals
Lebanese Minister of Social Affairs Haneen Al-Sayed has held high-level meetings in Turkey to coordinate disaster management and infrastructure recovery with AFAD, the Turkish emergency authority. These efforts include the supply of prefabricated housing for displaced families.
Additionally, large-scale humanitarian shipments continue to arrive in Beirut, including hundreds of tons of food aid distributed through the Turkish Red Crescent. While Ankara frames its involvement as support for Lebanese state institutions, its clear anti-Israel stance and ties to organizations linked to Hamas make its growing presence on Israel's northern border a significant concern.
