North Korea's Role in Undermining Peace in the Middle East

See - Sada Elbalad

13-02-2025

H-Tayea
North Korea has long been involved in fueling instability in the Middle East, forming close alliances with authoritarian regimes, providing weapons to armed groups, and engaging in covert military cooperation. As conflicts in the region continue to evolve, North Korea remains a key actor in sustaining unrest through its ties with countries such as Syria, Iran, and militant organizations like Hezbollah and Hamas.
North Korea's involvement in the Middle East dates back to the 1960s, when it established diplomatic and military ties with various regimes and militant organizations. It has been a major supplier of arms and military expertise, helping prolong conflicts and empowering groups engaged in warfare against U.S. allies and international coalitions.
During Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel, evidence emerged that the group used North Korean-made weapons, including F-7 grenade launchers. This was not the first instance of Pyongyang's military exports being linked to terrorist organizations. Reports suggest that Hamas's underground tunnel systems were based on North Korean designs, originally transferred to Hezbollah and later adapted for Gaza.
North Korea has also been implicated in providing ballistic missile technology and chemical weapons expertise to Syria. The Al Kibar nuclear reactor, which was destroyed by Israel in 2007 during Operation Orchard, was reportedly built with North Korean assistance. Furthermore, the UN Security Council's 2018 report exposed illegal arms trading between North Korea and Syria, including shipments of ballistic missiles and dual-use military components.
North Korea's alliance with Syria dates back to 1966, when the two countries established diplomatic relations. During the 1973 Arab-Israeli War, North Korea sent fighter pilots, military instructors, and arms to support Syrian forces against Israel. Over the years, their military cooperation expanded, with North Korea supplying Syria with missiles, nuclear technology, and battlefield tactics.
Following the outbreak of the Syrian Civil War in 2011, North Korea intensified its military support for the Assad regime. Pyongyang has been accused of supplying chemical weapons technology, helping the Syrian government conduct attacks against civilians. Reports have also surfaced suggesting North Korean pilots participated in airstrikes against opposition forces in 2013.
With the Syrian opposition forming a transitional government, the international community is closely watching how the country repositions itself. The U.S. re-designated Syria as a state sponsor of terrorism on December 12, 2024, alongside North Korea, Iran, and Cuba.
For Syria's new leadership to gain legitimacy and international recognition, it must cut all ties with North Korea. This would signal a genuine commitment to peace, democracy, and global stability. North Korea has repeatedly acted as a destabilizing force, and severing this relationship would be a critical step in Syria's reintegration into the international community.