Israel's security establishment has advised a de-escalation of tensions with Turkey to prevent the opening of a new military front, following Israeli airstrikes on the Abu al-Duhur airbase in Syria. Turkey has strongly denied any presence of its military forces or delegates at the targeted site.
According to Israel's Channel 12, the security sector has urged the political leadership to reduce hostilities with Ankara and avoid opening an additional front, amid concerns that continued strikes linked to Turkish presence in Syria could lead to direct conflict between the two countries.
This recommendation emerges as Israeli forces currently operate across multiple fronts, raising concerns for Israel’s security and military apparatus about the prospect of engaging in a confrontation with Turkey.
The channel reported that Israel informed the United States of Turkey's efforts to deploy air defense systems and ground troops at the Syrian Abu al-Duhur base, which Tel Aviv regards as a development that might restrict the Israeli Air Force's freedom of operation in Syrian airspace.
In recent times, Israel has issued warnings about any Turkish military deployment at strategic locations in Syria, with Israeli concerns that the introduction of advanced air defense systems could alter the military balance in Syrian skies.
However, Turkey’s Ministry of Defense has flatly denied the claim regarding its military presence at Abu al-Duhur during its targeting.
Turkish Ministry of Defense spokesperson Zeki Akturk stated at a press conference that no Turkish military delegation was present at the base before or during the Israeli airstrikes.
Akturk emphasized, "There are no Turkish soldiers at the military base," thus refuting reports suggesting the presence of Turkish forces or personnel at the location.
The Turkish Defense Ministry has described the Israeli airstrikes as a violation of Syrian sovereignty, arguing they contribute to regional instability and heightened tensions.
The denial from Turkey came a day after Israeli airstrikes hit the Abu al-Duhur base in Idlib countryside, escalating tensions between Ankara and Tel Aviv regarding Turkey's military presence in Syria.
The Abu al-Duhur airport holds significant strategic importance due to its location and potential for military use, amidst talks of Syrian plans to reactivate and develop its capacities after years of inactivity.
These events coincide with revelations of high-level communications preceding the attack, with reports suggesting that the Turkish military presence was subject to discussions between Israeli and Syrian officials days before targeting the base.
This indicates that Turkish deployment has become a highly sensitive issue in Israel's strategic calculations in Syria, especially as Ankara strengthens its military and security ties with Syrian authorities.
Yet, the Israeli security establishment's call for de-escalation reveals a desire to set boundaries on any escalation, preventing a direct confrontation with Turkey that could add another front to the military challenges currently faced by Israel.
This matter carries additional sensitivity given Turkey's NATO membership and its possession of one of the largest armies, as well as its extensive military presence and operational expertise within Syria.
Amid Israeli accusations and Turkish denials, the Abu al-Duhur base emerges as a new friction point in the already tense relationship between the two nations. The Israeli security sector appears to advocate for crisis containment before it shifts from a war of messages and strikes within Syria to a direct confrontation with Ankara.