Turkey’s support for Hamas, the Palestinian militant group governing Gaza, is a key element of the country’s broader approach to Middle Eastern geopolitics under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. This support, however, is not limited to rhetoric or symbolic gestures. It extends into financial backing, diplomatic cover, and, potentially, military aid. While the world often focuses on other regional actors like Iran when discussing state sponsors of terrorism, Turkey’s role has become more pronounced and multifaceted over the years. In addition to supporting Hamas, Turkey’s involvement with other extremist groups, such as al Qaeda affiliates in Syria and al Shabaab in Somalia, highlights the country’s increasingly controversial position in global security.
Turkey’s financial and diplomatic support for Hamas has deepened in the past decade. Since Hamas’ rise to power in Gaza in 2007, the group has struggled with international isolation and funding constraints. While Iran has been a known benefactor, Turkey’s assistance has also become critical. Turkish non-governmental organizations (NGOs) tied to the state have been implicated in providing financial assistance to Hamas, often under the guise of humanitarian aid for Gaza. These funds help sustain the governing apparatus of Hamas, but they also likely assist in funding its military activities, including its rocket manufacturing and tunnel construction aimed at striking Israel.
Turkey’s diplomatic support for Hamas is even more visible. Unlike most of the international community, Turkey treats Hamas as a legitimate political actor rather than a terrorist organization. Hamas leaders, including its political chief Ismail Haniyeh, have often been hosted in Ankara, signaling Turkey’s willingness to legitimize the group on the world stage. This diplomatic cover not only shields Hamas from further isolation but also gives it a platform to expand its political reach beyond the Palestinian territories.
Erdogan himself has often positioned Turkey as the defender of the Palestinian cause, leveraging his relationship with Hamas to boost his image as a leader who stands against Israel and the West. This is evident in his inflammatory rhetoric. In speeches aimed at domestic audiences, Erdoğan has drawn parallels between Israeli policies and Nazi-era practices, invoking deeply antisemitic tropes. These statements resonate with Turkey’s Islamist base and position Erdogan as a vocal opponent of Israel, bolstering his popularity among Islamist movements across the Muslim world.
Beyond financial and diplomatic backing, there is growing evidence that Turkey has provided material support to Hamas. In recent years, Israeli intelligence has intercepted multiple shipments of arms and explosive precursors originating from Turkey and destined for Gaza. These shipments reportedly included dual-use materials such as fertilizers and metal pipes, which are essential for manufacturing rockets and other weapons used by Hamas in its attacks on Israeli civilians.
While Ankara denies direct involvement, the frequency of these interceptions and the scale of the operations raise serious concerns. Turkey’s willingness to turn a blind eye to such activities—or, worse, to tacitly approve them—suggests that its support for Hamas extends far beyond mere political solidarity.
Hamas is not the only group benefiting from Turkish support. In Syria, Turkey’s role in supplying arms to al Qaeda-linked groups like Jabhat al-Nusra has been well documented. During the Syrian Civil War, Turkey’s primary goal was the ousting of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. To achieve this, Ankara formed alliances with various rebel groups, including Islamist factions. While Turkey publicly condemned groups like ISIS, its covert support for other jihadist factions blurred the lines between combating terrorism and enabling it.
Turkey’s relationship with extremist groups extends beyond Syria. In Somalia, Turkish investments and aid efforts have helped stabilize parts of the country, but there are also accusations that Turkey has indirectly empowered al Shabaab, the al Qaeda affiliate in the region. Turkish investments in infrastructure, while ostensibly aimed at rebuilding Somalia, have created a power vacuum that al Shabaab has exploited to expand its influence.
In Libya, Turkey has backed Islamist factions in the ongoing civil conflict, aligning itself with groups opposed to the forces of General Khalifa Haftar. These factions, many of which have extremist leanings, have relied on Turkish military support to gain leverage in the conflict. Turkey’s involvement has exacerbated the instability in Libya, fueling a protracted civil war that continues to draw in international actors.
Erdogan’s fiery rhetoric is a critical aspect of his strategy in courting Islamist movements. His speeches often contain antisemitic undertones, demonizing Israel and its allies. He has drawn comparisons between Israeli actions and the Holocaust, accusing Israel of “genocide” against the Palestinians. Such statements are not just political posturing; they reflect Erdoğan’s deep-seated antipathy toward Israel and serve as a rallying cry for Islamist groups.
Moreover, Erdogan anti-American stance has grown sharper in recent years. He has accused the United States of destabilizing the Middle East, and his foreign policy frequently clashes with American interests, whether in Syria, Libya, or beyond. In this regard, Erdogan’s rhetoric mirrors that of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, who similarly espouses a blend of antisemitism and anti-Americanism. This alignment, though not formally expressed through a direct alliance with Iran, suggests a shared ideological foundation that influences Turkey’s foreign policy decisions.
Turkey’s support for Hamas and other extremist groups is a reflection of Erdogan’s broader vision for Turkey’s role in the Middle East. By providing financial aid, diplomatic cover, and potentially arms to groups like Hamas, Turkey has positioned itself as a key player in the region’s Islamist movements. This support, however, comes at a cost. It isolates Turkey from traditional allies like the United States and Europe, while aligning it with actors that destabilize the region. As Turkey continues to back extremist factions, its role in fostering terrorism becomes increasingly clear, presenting a challenge for global counterterrorism efforts and regional stability.
