Military support, aid trucks and digital: Turkey's quiet foothold in Lebanon

Turkey is quietly expanding its grip on Lebanon through military aid, civilian projects, and humanitarian assistance, including trucks of meat to Beirut. The article details the visits of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and President Joseph Aoun to Turkey, the support of TIKA, and cooperation with IHH, which Israel considers a terrorist organization. Israel views the Turkish presence as a threat.

Turkey is quietly establishing a significant foothold in Lebanon through military aid, civilian projects, and humanitarian assistance. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam visited Turkey on July 10, and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on July 30, meeting with President Erdogan. Erdogan stated that Turkey is ready to join an alternative force to UNIFIL and that military support will continue. Turkey has been assisting the Lebanese army since 2015, including $7 million in military equipment in 2018, and spare parts, ammunition, and food since 2019. The TIKA agency develops humanitarian projects, including a technology lab in Beirut, and has cooperated with IHH, which Israel considers a terrorist organization. Last week, aid trucks with more than 280 tons of meat arrived in Beirut, and in April, more than 730 tons of aid arrived by ship. Israel views the Turkish presence as a threat, given Turkey's anti-Israeli stance and support for terrorist organizations.