‘Technical talks’ intention to arrange communications channel to keep away from clashes within the area, Turkish official says.
Turkish and Israeli officers have begun talks aimed toward easing tensions in Syria, the place the militaries of each international locations are energetic, officers from either side say.
Israel has launched tons of of air strikes in Syria and deployed troops to a United Nations-patrolled buffer zone within the Golan Heights since opposition fighters eliminated President Bashar al-Assad in December.
Turkiye is a key backer of the interim authorities in Syria, the place its help consists of operations towards the ISIL (ISIS) armed group.
Turkish International Minister Hakan Fidan confirmed on Wednesday that technical talks with Israel have been underneath approach, emphasising that deconfliction mechanisms have been crucial to stop misunderstandings between the 2 regional powers’ forces.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s workplace mentioned in an announcement on Thursday that the 2 sides “agreed to proceed the dialogue to be able to protect regional stability”.
The talks come as the 2 sides pursue competing pursuits in Syria. Turkish sources quoted by the information company Reuters mentioned the talks in Azerbaijan on Wednesday marked the start of efforts to arrange a communications channel to keep away from potential clashes or misunderstandings over navy operations within the area.
“Efforts will proceed to ascertain this mechanism,” one of many Turkish sources mentioned, with out offering particulars on the scope or timeline of the talks.
A Turkish Ministry of Nationwide Defence official quoted by The Related Press information company mentioned assessments for the institution of a base for joint Turkish-Syrian coaching are ongoing, including that such actions adopted worldwide regulation “with out concentrating on third international locations”.
Israel has expressed issues that Syria’s new management will pose a menace alongside its border whereas Israel additionally reportedly desires to thwart Turkish affect in Syria. Netanyahu mentioned on Tuesday that Turkish bases in Syria can be a “hazard to Israel”.
An Israeli political supply quoted by Reuters mentioned that throughout the talks “Israel made it unequivocally clear that any change within the deployment of international forces in Syria – and particularly the institution of Turkish bases within the Palmyra space – is a pink line and can be thought-about a breaking of the foundations.”
In keeping with the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a United Kingdom-based conflict monitor, Israel’s navy carried out greater than 500 air assaults on targets in Syria from December 8 to December 31 and has carried out a minimum of 43 assaults up to now this yr. Syria’s Ministry of International Affairs has accused Israel of waging a marketing campaign towards “the soundness of the nation”.
Ties between Israel and Turkiye have deteriorated over Israel’s assault on Gaza. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been an outspoken critic of Israel’s conflict, which has killed greater than 50,000 Palestinians.
