Israel Shifts Stance on Turkey Amid Syria Tensions, Halts Azerbaijan Mediation

A senior Israeli diplomatic official revealed a significant shift in communication channels with Ankara, defining Turkey as a "rival" rather than an "enemy." This reclassification comes amid heightened tensions in Syria, particularly following an Israeli airstrike on the Abu al-Duhur airbase near the Turkish border. The strike, which reportedly involved eight bombs, aimed to prevent Turkish forces from establishing a presence at the base.

The official emphasized that neither Israel nor Turkey desires a direct military confrontation, stating, "I don't think anyone on either side wants to reach an exchange of fire between Israel and Turkey." This assessment highlights a shared interest in de-escalating the situation, despite the recent military friction.

Adding to the diplomatic shift, Israel has ceased relaying messages to Turkey through Azerbaijan. Previously, Azerbaijan, led by President Ilham Aliyev, facilitated direct communication and operational coordination between the two nations in Syria. This severed channel leaves the current tensions without clear diplomatic safety nets.

The recent Israeli strike on Abu al-Duhur, which occurred in August, targeted runways and hangars. Intelligence suggested Damascus was preparing to allow Turkish forces to deploy there. Israel's Ambassador to the U.S., Yechiel Leiter, stated after the strike that Israel had solid intelligence on Turkey's intentions to expand its military presence and that while Israel does not seek war, a "red line" had been crossed.

The incident nearly led to an immediate military escalation. U.S. envoy to Syria and Ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, noted that Turkey received no prior warning and its military identified Israeli aircraft flying north, potentially leading to a response. U.S. efforts to establish a trilateral mechanism involving Israel, Turkey, and Syria to prevent misunderstandings have reportedly stalled, with Turkey's Ministry of Defense stating no official request from Washington had been received.