Israeli officials assess that Turkey’s reported efforts to establish a presence around the Abu al-Duhur military airbase in northern Syria have been halted following an Israeli strike on the facility and subsequent diplomatic contacts, according to Israel’s Channel 12.
The assessment represents a shift from concerns expressed by Israeli officials last week over the possibility of an expanded Turkish military presence at the airbase in Idlib province.
Amid the tensions, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan posted a message on social media warning: “Those who think they can stop Turkey with provocations and conspiracies will be disappointed.”
Channel 12 reported that contacts between Israeli, Turkish and Syrian officials contributed to a reduction in tensions. It also pointed to recent talks involving Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and Israeli officials as contributing to the changed Israeli assessment.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, meanwhile, conducted a security assessment during a visit inside Syrian territory on Wednesday, accompanied by Deputy Chief of Staff Tamir Yadai and Northern Command chief Rafi Milo.
Katz said Israel continued to monitor developments around Abu al-Duhur and threatened further military action if Turkey attempted to establish a presence at the facility.
“We acted against a Turkish attempt to establish a presence in Syria, which threatens Israel’s security interests,” Katz said. “We made our position unequivocally clear, and we will continue to adhere to it in the future.”
He added that Israel would “not hesitate to attack it again” if Turkey renewed its efforts at the airbase.
The Syrian Foreign Ministry strongly condemned Katz’s entry into Syrian territory, following his tour there.
