JERUSALEM – Turkey has been surprised by a sudden behind-the-scenes change in attitude from the Obama administration regarding the embattled regime of Turkish foe Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Turkish diplomatic sources told WND.

The sources said that while U.S. rhetoric against Assad remains strong, the Obama administration is suddenly dropping the ball by supporting a NATO campaign against Assad. The sources said the U.S. is suddenly scaling back material support for the Syrian opposition.

The Turkish sources said Turkey and the Syrian opposition are “disappointed” with the change in attitude, which they claim comes without any diplomatic justification from U.S. officials.

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The sources said some Turkish officials believe Obama may have made a deal with Syria or Iran.

Just last week, WND quoted informed Middle Eastern officials saying Obama has been engaged in secret, back-channel talks with Iran in which he informed Tehran’s leaders he is completely opposed to any Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

The officials told WND the behind-the-scenes talks aim to secure a guarantee from Iran that it will not retaliate against the U.S. in the event of an Israeli military strike, the officials said.

It was unclear what, if anything, Obama offered Iran in exchange for a pledge against targeting U.S. installations, including in the Gulf.

The State Department did not immediately return a WND request seeking comment on the alleged back-door talks.

Assad, meanwhile, continued his military crackdown on the well-armed opposition targeting his regime. Syrian troops reportedly clashed with army defectors and shelled rebel districts in the central city of Homs yesterday, with claims at least 11 civilians were killed.

The move came just one day after the government claimed it had begun a troop withdrawal ahead of the April 10 deadline to implement an international truce plan.

Russia yesterday warned other nations not to arm the Syrian opposition, saying it would only escalate hostilities.

“Even if they arm the Syrian opposition to the teeth, it won’t be able to defeat the Syrian army,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was quoted as saying. “The carnage will go on for many years.”

WND previously reported on claims from Egyptian security officials outlining what they said was large scale international backing for the rebels attacking Assad’s embattled regime– including arms and training from the U.S., Turkey, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. (© 2012 WorldNetDaily.com, Inc. 04/05/12)