Newsletters
Türkiye and Israel have reportedly established a round-the-clock military hotline to prevent possible flare-ups and misunderstandings in Syria, following direct talks between the two countries that began in April, according to sources familiar with the negotiations speaking to the Middle East Eye.
The 24/7 direct communication line was set up in April to quickly resolve any accidental military tensions, while broader deconfliction negotiations continue with Azerbaijani mediation in Baku.
Turkish and Israeli officials have been meeting in the Azerbaijani capital Baku, since April for direct talks to resolve their differences regarding Syria's changing dynamics.
Türkiye emerged as a key regional actor following the ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December, while the Israeli government has expressed deep concern over the new status quo in Syria.
Israeli officials have publicly opposed any Turkish military deployment to Syria, with several individuals and security sources from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government repeatedly referring to Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's government as "radical extremists."
Israeli sources stated that Israel would not tolerate Türkiye taking over airbases near Palmyra, a key location in the fight against the Daesh terrorist group.
A source familiar with the negotiations told Middle East Eye that the Israeli government was largely comfortable with Türkiye deploying land forces, including tanks and infantry, in Syria.
However, the main question centers on where Ankara would place its air defense systems and radars, which could monitor Israeli air operations.
"The talks progress positively and the discussion is focusing on the so-called Palmyra line," the source said. "Those bases represent a grey zone; the Israelis could be amenable to Turkish deployments north of that area."
In May, Ankara reportedly moved to take over the T4 airbase near Palmyra to deploy armed drones and surveillance aircraft, intending to help Damascus fight Daesh as part of a regional coalition that includes Iraq, Lebanon, and Jordan.
This move triggered an Israeli air campaign that struck the base multiple times before Turkish officials moved in, damaging the tarmac and destroying hangars.
The Turkish military has reportedly drafted plans to temporarily deploy a Russian-made S-400 air defense system to the base to protect it and deter possible attacks. This proposal has concerned Israeli officials, who perceive it as an attempt to monitor and potentially expose their aerial operations in real-time.
Ankara says it needs the bases to easily and quickly track and strike the Daesh terrorist group operating near Palmyra in the desert region.
However, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has repeatedly stated that Ankara would not intervene if the Syrian and Israeli governments found a way forward on their bilateral issues. Turkish defense ministry sources, speaking to Middle East Eye, said they had nothing to announce yet regarding the ongoing negotiations.
1 min read
One of the main sticking points for Israel is maintaining the operational capability to fly over Syria without being detected by Turkish radars, should Israel decide to strike Iranian nuclear assets in the coming months.
Although Turkish officials have repeatedly stated they would not allow a "sphere of influence" in Syria that would permit countries like Israel to strike areas at will, sources said the discussions are focusing on finding a way forward that could satisfy both countries' concerns.
3 min read
