In a significant diplomatic move, Turkey and Israel have initiated discussions aimed at averting military confrontations between their forces in Syria, as the region grapples with escalating tensions due to an Israeli military campaign. A meeting held on Wednesday in Azerbaijan focused on strategies for preventing “undesired incidents in Syria,” according to the Turkish Defense Ministry. Concurrently, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized the importance of maintaining an ongoing dialogue.
Turkey and Israel Engage in Talks to Alleviate Tensions in Syria
Turkey and Israel Engage in Talks to Alleviate Tensions in Syria
Efforts are underway between Turkey and Israel to mitigate potential conflicts amid a rising rivalry for influence in Syria.
This diplomatic engagement coincides with preparations for a meeting between Syria’s newly appointed President Ahmed al-Shara and Turkish officials, scheduled for Friday, where security and military cooperation will be discussed. President al-Shara leads a coalition of rebels that, with Turkish support, ousted the long-serving President Bashar al-Assad in December, which prompted the withdrawal of Assad’s principal allies, Russia and Iran.
As a result of the power vacuum, both Israel and Turkey have intensified their competition for regional influence. This struggle exacerbates the instability in Syria, where the new government faces substantial challenges in consolidating control over a nation scarred by 13 years of civil unrest.
Turkey, which has long maintained a military presence in northern Syria to assist opposition forces and counter Kurdish militants it labels as terrorists, has reportedly offered to provide training for a new Syrian army and to upgrade military infrastructure, although Syrian representatives have not confirmed acceptance of these proposals.
In response to the shifting power dynamics following al-Assad's ousting, Israel has deployed troops into a traditionally recognized buffer zone along the Golan Heights and extended its military operations into southern Syria, conducting numerous airstrikes targeting Syrian military facilities. These military maneuvers add another layer of complexity to an already volatile situation in the region.
As a result of the power vacuum, both Israel and Turkey have intensified their competition for regional influence. This struggle exacerbates the instability in Syria, where the new government faces substantial challenges in consolidating control over a nation scarred by 13 years of civil unrest.
Turkey, which has long maintained a military presence in northern Syria to assist opposition forces and counter Kurdish militants it labels as terrorists, has reportedly offered to provide training for a new Syrian army and to upgrade military infrastructure, although Syrian representatives have not confirmed acceptance of these proposals.
In response to the shifting power dynamics following al-Assad's ousting, Israel has deployed troops into a traditionally recognized buffer zone along the Golan Heights and extended its military operations into southern Syria, conducting numerous airstrikes targeting Syrian military facilities. These military maneuvers add another layer of complexity to an already volatile situation in the region.
