Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan confirmed on Wednesday that Turkey is working with Israel at an operational level in Syria to ensure that military activities do not clash, according to Reuters.
His statement came after a spike in Israeli air raids within Syria, which Israeli authorities said were aimed at stopping a Turkish military operation in the area.
As reported by Reuters last week, Turkey had conducted reconnaissance missions over several airbases in Syria as part of early-stage plans for a possible joint defense strategy. Those same locations were later struck by Israel.
“While we are conducting certain operations in Syria, there needs to be a deconfliction mechanism with Israel, which flies aircraft in that region, similar to mechanisms we have with the U.S. and Russia,” Fidan said during an interview with CNN Turk on Wednesday.
He clarified that the communication between the two nations is purely logistical. “There are technical contacts to prevent combat elements from misunderstanding each other,” he explained, adding that such coordination occurs “when needed.”
Fidan was quick to point out that this coordination should not be seen as a step toward broader political engagement. “These talks are limited to deconfliction in Syria,” he stated.
Ankara has become increasingly vocal in condemning Israel’s military actions. Just last week, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry slammed Israel for its strikes on Hezbollah sites in Lebanon.
“These attacks have once again exposed Israel’s flagrant disregard for international law and its ongoing threat to the region’s security and stability. The international community must stand united against Israel’s efforts to create a perpetual state of conflict in the region,” the ministry said.
In a strongly worded rebuttal, Israel’s Foreign Ministry responded, “While violently suppressing his own citizens and carrying out mass arrests of political opponents, [President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan presumes to preach lofty values to the international community.”
“In Erdogan’s Turkey, there is no justice, no law, and no freedom. Israel does not need Erdogan’s ridiculous moral sermons. Israel acts to defend itself and its citizens against real threats and actual attacks — and it will continue to do so,” the statement added.
Since the war in Gaza began on October 7, 2023, Turkish President Erdogan has ramped up his rhetoric against Israel. Prior to that date, both countries were in the process of mending their long-frayed relationship.
Most recently, Erdogan labeled Israel a “terror state” after it carried out a surprise assault on terrorist infrastructure in Gaza.
{Matzav.com}