Researcher: Israel seeks to block Turkish military presence in Syria

Israeli affairs researcher Hussein Al-Deek said Israel is working to set broad guidelines to prevent Turkey from establishing a military presence in Syria.

Speaking in an interview with Al Arabiya FM, Al-Deek added that recent Israeli airstrikes on the evacuated Abu al-Duhur military base were a political message directed at both Turkey and Syria. He noted that the strikes followed a phone call between the head of Mossad and Syrian Foreign Minister Assad Al-Shibani.

He explained that after the call, the Syrian foreign minister informed Turkey of the situation to avoid any direct confrontation. However, Israel is seeking a strategic framework to redefine the rules of engagement and establish new red lines within Syria.

Al-Deek further stated that Israel opposes any Turkish military deployment in Syria and does not want Turkey to supply the Syrian army with advanced weaponry, especially given Turkey's role as a weapons manufacturer. He also pointed out that the US position has played a significant role in moderating Israel's rhetoric on the issue. According to Al-Deek, Israel is pursuing both a strategic path and a domestic agenda by creating a perceived external threat ahead of the upcoming Israeli elections.

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