Türkiye, Israel reportedly negotiate Syrian de-confliction line

According to claims, Türkiye and Israel are negotiating a mechanism to prevent direct conflict in Syria amid rising tensions. It is alleged that the parties are considering establishing a communication line.

Türkiye and Israel, seeking to increase their influence in Syria after the end of the Bashar al-Assad administration, are reportedly in contact to establish a de-confliction line to prevent mutual misunderstandings or direct conflict. According to Western officials speaking to Middle East Eye, these talks gained momentum after Israel bombed the T4 airbase, where Türkiye wanted to deploy.

The report states that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu believes progress has been made on a de-confliction arrangement with Türkiye after the attacks, and that negotiations are ongoing. It was noted that Netanyahu is particularly insistent that no armed elements, including the Turkish military presence, be present in the southern regions of Syria.

Another source confirmed that direct contact was established between Ankara and Tel Aviv after the attacks on the T4 base, and that these contacts aimed to establish a de-confliction line. The source commented, “Immediately after the attacks, Turkish and Israeli officials said they did not want to clash with each other, using similar expressions. These statements seemed coordinated.”

It is suggested that Israel may remain silent or even accept the establishment of Turkish military bases in Hama and Palmyra, even if it uses harsh rhetoric in public. The same source argued that the US also favors reducing tensions in the region and therefore indirectly supports the process.

Sources speaking to Middle East Eye claimed that Netanyahu informed his counterparts that he had “limited time to attack the T4 base before Türkiye started to deploy militarily.” According to this, Netanyahu said that “after Türkiye enters, the base will be closed to Israeli operations.” The report stated, “The Turkish army being attacked by Israel, even by mistake, would carry the risk of triggering a major conflict. However, bringing air defense systems to the bases would also deter Israeli planes from operating in the region.”

Immediately after the air strikes, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused Ankara of trying to establish a “protectorate regime” in Syria. Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz also said that he had “warned” Syrian President and HTŞ leader Abu Ahmed Shara about “enemy forces.”

Despite Israel’s harsh messages after the T4 attack, signals of softening were later given from both Türkiye and Israel. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said in a statement to Reuters that Türkiye has no intention of direct military conflict with Israel. Similar statements came from senior Israeli officials as well.

Netanyahu, in a meeting with US President Donald Trump, stated that Israel does not want conflict with Türkiye on Syrian territory and that they discussed steps to eliminate this risk with Trump. Netanyahu pointed to Trump’s good relations with President Erdoğan, suggesting that Washington could play a mediating role.

Trump also said in the meeting, “If you have a problem with Türkiye, I believe I can solve it. I hope it won’t be necessary.” Trump, who referred to Erdoğan as “my great friend,” made remarkable statements for Erdoğan: “He achieved what no one has done for 2000 years, he took Syria.”

The normalization process between Türkiye and Israel, which began in mid-2023, was interrupted by the large-scale military operation launched by Israel in Gaza on October 7.