Israel Maintains Secret Channel With Turkey to Prevent Escalation Amid Syria Airstrikes

Despite rising tensions between Israel and Turkey over Israeli Air Force strikes in Syria, Israeli security officials emphasize efforts to avoid direct escalation with Ankara. Quiet communications continue between the two countries to manage friction caused by Israel's offensive actions against Syrian targets, which have strained relations. An Israeli security source explained that Israel does not seek to make Turkey an enemy and maintains covert channels to convey messages and prevent conflict.

The source clarified Israel's red lines, stating that when diplomatic messages fail, Israel must act militarily. Israel's policy focuses on preventing Turkish military entrenchment in Syria, especially blocking deployment of advanced air defense systems, missiles, and drones that could restrict the Israeli Air Force's freedom of operation. As part of this policy, the IDF struck infrastructure and runways at Syria's al-Douhour airbase in northern Syria before the targeted equipment arrived.

This preemptive strike was intended to send a clear message to the Damascus regime that while Israel does not oppose the Syrian army's development, it will not tolerate new security threats near its borders. Meanwhile, Turkish political and military officials have sought to downplay the incident, denying any Turkish military presence at the attacked airbase. Ankara officially stated that no Turkish military delegation was at the Syrian airbase before or during the Israeli strikes.