Turkiye continues to be an important supporter of Syria’s interim government, extending vital support which involves military action against the ISIL (ISIS) armed group. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan affirmed on Wednesday technical negotiations with Israel, noting the necessity of building deconfliction procedures to avoid any misunderstandings that might occur between the military units of both countries.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said that both nations consented to continue dialogue with an aim of ensuring regional stability. These talks come as there are competing interests in Syria, with Turkish sources saying that talks conducted in Azerbaijan on Wednesday were the first steps towards establishing a channel of communication to avoid clashes or misunderstandings on military action in the region.
Turkish sources suggested that attempts to cement this mechanism would continue, though details of the scope or timeline of those talks were not made public. A Turkish Ministry of National Defence spokesperson also noted, according to The Associated Press, that analyses for the purpose of opening up a base for joint Turkish-Syrian training are being made, claiming such efforts are within international law and are not directed against third countries.
Israel has expressed that the new Syrian leadership may become a threat along its border and is eager to reverse Turkish influence in the region. Netanyahu stated on Tuesday that Turkish bases in Syria would pose a major threat to Israel. An Israeli political source reiterated that any alteration in the deployment of foreign forces in Syria, specifically the siting of Turkish bases near Palmyra, would be considered a serious breach of agreed conventions.
More than 500 Israeli airstrikes against various targets across Syria have been carried out by Israel between December 8 and December 31, with at least 43 reported this year alone, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British war monitor, said. Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Israel is destabilizing the country with its military activities.
Israel-Turkiye relations have deteriorated considerably in the wake of Israel’s military campaigns in Gaza. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been one of the strongest critics of Israel’s actions, which have caused heavy casualties among Palestinians.
