Israel, Turkey Talks On Avoiding Military Clash Over Syria

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – Encouraged by U.S. President Donald J. Trump, Israel and Turkey have been holding direct talks on Syria to avoid the risk of a military confrontation, say sources familiar with the discussions.

The talks come after Israel attacked military sites in Syria last week, including air bases at Aleppo and the T4 base, while Ankara wanted to send a technical team to inspect the facilities to present a review before they would be rebuilt.

Ahead of the talks, Turkey already said last week it wants no confrontation with Israel in Syria. However, Ankara suggested that Israeli strikes on military facilities are undermining Syria’s new leadership to deter threats from enemies, including the Islamic State group.

In an interview on the sidelines of a NATO military alliance foreign ministers meeting in Brussels, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Israel’s actions were fuelling regional instability by targeting Syria, where the government of President Ahmed al-Sharaa is a close ally of Turkey.

“We don’t want to see any confrontation with Israel in Syria because Syria belongs to Syrians,” Fidan told Reuters news agency on Friday.

Turkey, which shares a 911-kilometer (566-mile) border with Syria, has emerged as one of the most influential power brokers in Syria and allies of its new Islamist government.

SUPPORTING REBELS

Trump noted this week that Ankara had for years backed the rebels who now make up the bulk of the new government as they fought to topple former President Bashar al-Assad.

He also said he could mediate between Israel and Turkey, who appear poised to clash over influence in Syria.

Trump stressed that he has a great relationship with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whom he likes very much and calls “very smart.”

Trump recalled that he congratulated Erdogan on doing “what nobody has done in 2,000 years, taking over Syria,” referring to the successful overthrow of the Assad regime by Islamic rebels, whom Trump called a Turkish proxy.

Trump told Netanyahu, who has a bitter relationship with Erdogan, that he could mediate between them.

“Any problem that you have with Turkey, I think we can solve as long as you are reasonable; you have to be reasonable,” he told Netanyahu with a smile.

Israel has carried out a campaign to destroy Syrian military capabilities that it said potentially threatened Israel.

The Israeli government also fears that if Turkey establishes a military presence in Syria, it could hamper the Israeli Air Force’s freedom of action in the region.

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