Türkiye has announced it will continue supporting the
Lebanese army’s capacity enhancement efforts under its United Nations Interim
Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mandate, following a recent Turkish parliamentary
approval to extend its military deployment in Lebanon for two more years. This
move is part of a broader regional security strategy, which includes parallel
extensions of Turkish military mandates in Syria and Iraq.
Türkiye to Extend Military Support in Lebanon
Turkish Defence Ministry confirmed on October 23, 2025, that
Turkish peacekeeping forces will persist in bolstering the capabilities of the
Lebanese armed forces under a renewed deployment mandate. The ministry
emphasized that this initiative aims to improve security conditions, ensure
stability, and assist in capacity building of the Lebanese military to
establish and sustain peace in Lebanon. This statement was reported by Rashad
Rida of Reuters.
Following a parliamentary vote on October 21, Turkey’s Grand
National Assembly approved President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s motion to extend
the Turkish Armed Forces' participation in the UNIFIL mission for two more
years from October 31, 2025, through October 2027, according to Caliber.Az's
Aghakazim Guliyev.
Turkey’s UNIFIL Role and Regional Context
Türkiye’s contribution to UNIFIL dates back to September
2006, based on UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which was adopted following
the 2006 Lebanon War to maintain the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
The Turkish parliament’s original authorization was granted in 2006, and the
mission has been extended multiple times since then.
The Turkish presidency highlighted that participation in
UNIFIL enhanced Ankara's bilateral visibility across Lebanese society through
civil-military cooperation and policies supporting peace and stability goals.
The United Nations Security Council recently extended UNIFIL’s mandate until
the end of 2026, with plans to start a gradual drawdown of the peacekeeping
force from 2027 onward, as described by Murat Yılmaz of Türkiye Today.
Parallel Military Mandates in Iraq and Syria
Alongside the Lebanon mandate extension, the Turkish
parliament also approved a three-year extension of Turkey’s military
authorisation for operations in Iraq and Syria. This reflects Ankara’s ongoing
security concerns regarding the Kurdish Workers’ Party (PKK), the Syrian
Democratic Forces (SDF), and ISIS elements, which Ankara considers significant
threats to its national security along its southern borders.
The government justified these extensions by highlighting
persistent terrorist threats and separatist movements in both Iraq and Syria
that jeopardize regional stability. Ankara’s defense ministry stated that the
new mandate allows Turkish forces to conduct necessary measures, including
cross-border operations, to counter these threats, with the scope and timing
subject to the president’s authority. This was reported by Aghakazim Guliyev of
Caliber.Az and Anadolu Agency through various outlets.
Statements on Lebanon’s Military Deployment
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, during a meeting with US
General Joseph Clearfield, underlined Lebanon’s expanding military deployment
in the south border region. As reported by the National News Agency (NNA) and
covered by Anews correspondent Layla Khalil, Aoun affirmed the Lebanese Armed
Forces’ ongoing efforts to expand their presence south of the Litani River
daily and progress in clearing areas of armed groups, weapons, and ammunition.
He also reiterated the need for full Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon
for Lebanese forces to complete their deployment in line with the ceasefire
agreement negotiated in November 2024.
Turkey’s Regional Security Strategy
Turkey’s Defence Ministry linked its extended military
engagement in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon to broader national security objectives.
It expressed frustration over challenges in integrating Kurdish Syrian forces
into the Syrian government framework and underscored the importance of
protecting Türkiye's territorial integrity against perceived threats from
Kurdish groups and other destabilising elements.
Strategic analysis by regional experts according to
Enarabic.com remarks that Turkey’s continued presence, including in Lebanon,
aims to maintain its influence as a regional power, balancing Iran's role and
securing its interests in the Mediterranean and Middle East.
Key Dates and Legal Framework
- Turkish
parliament approved extensions on October 21, 2025.
- Turkish
deployment as part of UNIFIL since September 2006.
- Management
under UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
- UNIFIL
mandate extended until December 31, 2026, with phased withdrawal planned
from 2027.
- Turkish
military mandate extension effective from October 31, 2025, for two years
in Lebanon, and three years in Iraq and Syria.
Türkiye’s recent parliamentary decision to extend its military deployment in Lebanon under the UNIFIL framework reaffirms Ankara’s commitment to regional security and the strengthening of the Lebanese army. This extension, closely linked with Turkish military actions in Iraq and Syria, reflects Turkey's holistic approach to addressing security threats along its borders while sustaining its role in international peacekeeping efforts amid broader Middle Eastern geopolitics.