IDF Chief Warns Turkey Against Establishing Forces Near Israeli Borders in Syria

Two days after an unusual Israeli airstrike in Syria that drew condemnations from Turkey and the United States, IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir issued a stern warning from Syria. Zamir stated that the Israeli military is closely monitoring developments on the Syrian front and will not allow hostile forces to establish themselves near Israel's borders. He emphasized Israel's readiness to use precise military force when necessary to prevent the emergence of significant military threats or terrorist activities.

The Israeli Prime Minister's Office confirmed the strike targeted deep inside Syria, criticizing Damascus for permitting Turkish forces to deploy near Aleppo. Israel declared it will not tolerate threats to its security and welcomed a return to the previous status quo. Meanwhile, U.S. envoy to Syria and Washington's ambassador to Ankara, Tom Barrett, warned that Turkey was not forewarned about the Israeli strikes and might have been prepared to respond.

Israeli defense officials expressed particular concern over two Turkish military moves: the Turkish Air Force's desire to use bases leased by Assad to Iran across Syria, signaling a warning to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that Israel will not allow Syria to become a Turkish playground; and the Turkish Navy's growing proximity to Israeli naval vessels, led by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan's hardline stance. Despite these tensions, a senior IDF officer told Channel 13 News that Israel wants to avoid open conflict with Turkey, given multiple active fronts in the Middle East.

Earlier, Israeli officials told Fox News that Washington was informed in advance of the Syrian strike, sharing sensitive intelligence and making clear that the Assad regime's ally, the al-Shara regime, would not be allowed to follow Assad's path. Syria's Foreign Ministry condemned the attacks as unjustified violations of sovereignty and dangerous escalations threatening regional stability.

Following the strike on the Abu al-Zuhur military airport in northern Syria, Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Shibani confirmed Damascus possesses nuclear material for civilian purposes, assuring its safe storage under IAEA guarantees. Notably, al-Shara recently declared Syria's pursuit of a security agreement with Israel involving other countries, potentially paving the way for peace without relinquishing Syria's rights, including over the Golan Heights. He also stated Syria's intention to avoid military involvement in Lebanon, instead seeking solutions with the Lebanese government to stabilize the country.