Turkey's Attempts to Establish Presence Near Syrian Airport Thwarted, Israel Warns Against Future Moves

Turkey's recent efforts to establish a foothold near the airport attacked last week near Idlib, Syria, have been halted, contrary to initial expectations. A senior Israeli official indicated that Syria understood the message sent by the Israeli strike, according to Channel 12 news. These developments occur amid attempts to ease tensions between Ankara and Jerusalem, including a meeting between Mossad chief Ronen Gophman and the Syrian Foreign Minister.

Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Kitz visited Syria along with the Deputy Chief of Staff, the Northern Command commander, and other senior officials to receive an operational briefing. During the visit, Kitz warned that if Turkey tries to reestablish itself in Syria in the future, Israel will not hesitate to act again. Following the visit, the Syrian Foreign Ministry issued a harsh condemnation of the Israeli incursion into its territory.

In response to the initial attack, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared that Turkey will continue supporting its neighbors in reconstruction and normalization efforts despite concerns from various parties. He emphasized that Turkey's foreign policy is determined solely by the Turkish people and that no one can impose boundaries on it. Israel is preparing for the possibility that the current calm may change going forward.