Türkiye and Israel Mult Line Clear in Syria, say sources

Turkey and Israel have had interviews on the creation of a deconfliction line in Syria to avoid any misunderstanding and preventing potential clashes between their soldiers, two Western officials in Middle East Eye said.

Last week, Israeli air forces carried out several air strikes in Syria, targeting military sites – including Hama air base and Tiyas air base (also known as T4) – where Turkey planned to deploy soon.

The strikes occurred just when Ankara was preparing to send a technical team to inspect the T4 database and carry out a preliminary reconstruction assessment.

Two Western officials said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had informed his counterparts that Israel had a limited window to hit the T4 base before Turkey could position its assets. He said that Turkey has moved, the base is prohibited for Israeli operations.

The Turkish army is attacked by Israeli forces, even by mistake, would risk triggering a major conflict. However, the introduction of air defense systems in the bases would also dissuade Israeli aircraft from operating in the region.

MEE reported last week that Ankara was taking over the T4 base to deploy surveillance and attack drones.

Turkey also planned to install Hisar -type air defense systems. Finally, the Turkish army aims to establish an air defense system in layers in and around the base, with short, medium and long -range capacities designed to counter the threats of planes, drones and missiles.

“ The United States remains the last referee in Syria, and it seems that Washington wants Israel and Turkey designed tensions ”

– Source familiar with Turkish-Israeli tensions

Plans include the temporary deployment of S-400 Russian manufacturing air defense systems until the end of the basis of the base.

According to the same Western sources, Netanyahu believes that progress has been made to achieve a deconfliction agreement with Turkey after air strikes, and negotiations are underway.

Netanyahu also argued that Israel continues to insist on the complete demilitarization of southern Syria, including any Turkish presence.

A separate source familiar with Turkish-Israeli tensions confirmed that the two countries were in negotiations to establish a line of deconfliction from the Israeli strikes on the T4 base.

“Israeli and Turkish officials have published identical statements on the same day, saying that they were not looking for conflicts with each other in Syria,” said the source. “He seemed to be coordinated.”

Fidan: Turkey is not looking for confrontation

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told Reuters on Friday that Turkey is not looking for confrontation with Israel in Syria. The same agency reported a declaration from a senior Israeli official using exactly the same wording.

The source added that, despite public threats, Israel is likely to accept the Turkish military bases in Hama and Palmyra as part of the deconflicted disposition.

The collapse of the Syrian government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December and the emergence of Turkey as a dominant regional power in Syria has alarmed Israel, which now considers Ankara as a potentially greater threat than Iran.

“Syrian security should be decided by the Syrians. If they want to have certain understands with the Israelis, it is their company ”

– Hakan Fidan, Turkish Minister for Foreign Affairs

Since December, Ankara and Damascus have been negotiating a defense pact following the ouster of Assad. Under the proposed agreement, Turkey would provide air coverage and military protection of the new Syrian government, which is currently lacking in a functional army.

Turkey also aims to intensify its campaign against the Islamic State (IS) group – a key condition for the United States to examine its withdrawal from the region.

“The United States remains the final referee in Syria, and it seems that Washington wants Israel and Turkey to conscript tensions,” added the source.

Turkish officials say that the country plans to establish military bases in eastern Syria as part of its anti-IS campaign. While Washington is preparing to withdraw, Ankara strives to build a regional platform – including Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and Iraq – to continue operations.

The T4 and Palmyra bases are considered essential for the remaining hunting is elements of the region.

The Turkish Defense Ministry did not respond to requests for comments. MEE also submitted an investigation to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs concerning the issue.

However, the main Israeli concern concerning Syria continues to be the freedom of air operation of Israel in the country because, if Turkish air defense assets are installed, it could refuse Israeli jets of air operations by using Syrian airspace.

“We cannot speak on behalf of the Syrians. Syrian security should be decided by the Syrians,” Fidan said on Friday. “If they want to have certain understandings with the Israelis, that’s their business.”