Trump Credits Erdogan with Assad Fall: Israel-Syria Deal

U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that Israel and the United States have reached an understanding regarding Syria, while publicly crediting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with helping bring about the fall of former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad.

Speaking alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, Trump declined to provide details about the alleged U.S.-Israel understanding but struck an optimistic tone about Syria’s future leadership and regional stability.

Trump referred to Syria’s new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, as someone who “has been with us all the way,” expressing confidence that Israel and the new Syrian leadership could establish working relations. “I’m sure that Israel and him will get along,” Trump said, adding that he intended to help facilitate such an outcome.

Netanyahu said Israel’s primary interest in Syria is maintaining security and stability along its northern border. “Israel’s interest is to have a peaceful border with Syria,” he said. Netanyahu also emphasized Israel’s concern for minority communities, specifically referencing the Druze population and calling for protections for Christians across the Middle East and within Syria.

During the exchange, Trump interjected to assert that Erdogan played a decisive role in Assad’s downfall by backing Sharaa and other opposition forces. “Erdogan helped do it,” Trump said, referring to the collapse of the Assad regime. He added that Netanyahu “agrees with that” assessment.

Trump further sought to downplay tensions between Israel and Turkey, despite Erdogan’s harsh rhetoric against Israel and his support for Hamas. Asked about Erdogan’s past comments likening Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler, Trump described the Turkish leader as a personal friend. “I know Erdogan, he’s a friend of mine,” Trump said. “I believe and respect him, and Bibi respects him too. There won’t be a problem between them.”

Netanyahu did not publicly echo Trump’s attribution of Assad’s fall to Erdogan. In recent months, the Israeli government has emphasized that the collapse of Assad’s rule stemmed from Israel’s military actions during the war, which weakened Iran and Hezbollah, key pillars of the former Syrian regime.

Trump’s remarks underscored his continued effort to position himself as a central broker in Middle Eastern diplomacy, even as disagreements persist over Syria’s future, Turkey’s regional role, and the balance of power following Assad’s removal.