Israel Warns Turkey Against Military Expansion in Syria During Talks in Azerbaijan

Israeli and Turkish representatives met in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Wednesday for high-level discussions aimed at establishing a coordination mechanism regarding developments in Syria, amid rising regional tensions and overlapping security interests.

According to a senior political source who spoke to The Jerusalem Post, the Israeli delegation issued a stern warning concerning Turkey’s alleged intention to establish military bases in Syria’s Palmyra region.

Israel reportedly defined the move as a “red line” and emphasized it would be perceived as a serious breach of regional agreements and a direct threat to its national security.

The Israeli team was led by National Security Council chief Tzachi Hanegbi and Brig.-Gen. Roman Gofman, the government’s military secretary.

The talks come at a time of shifting alliances and power dynamics in war-torn Syria, where both Ankara and Jerusalem are maneuvering to safeguard their strategic interests.

While Turkey has increased its footprint in northern Syria in recent years, the potential expansion further inland, especially near Palmyra — a historically significant and geographically strategic city — has triggered alarms in Jerusalem.

“Any change in the deployment of foreign forces in Syria, particularly in Palmyra, is unacceptable,” the political source said. “If Turkey proceeds with building military infrastructure there, Israel will consider it a direct security threat.”

Israel has long maintained that the responsibility for preventing hostile foreign deployments in Syria lies with the government in Damascus.

However, the government of President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who replaced Bashar al-Assad following his ouster in 2024, has been criticized by Israeli officials for failing to assert full control over Syrian territory.

“Any action that endangers Israel will also endanger the Syrian government,” the Israeli source warned, sending a clear message to both Turkish and Syrian authorities.

The Israeli delegation also emphasized the importance of transparent coordination to avoid miscalculations or direct confrontations in Syrian airspace, where Israeli, Turkish, Russian, and Iranian forces have previously operated simultaneously, often without mutual coordination.

Tensions in Syria have remained high despite a relative lull in fighting between major factions. The ongoing presence of foreign militias and regular military units from multiple countries continues to complicate the prospects for lasting peace and stability.

A symbolic reminder of the country’s fragile state was seen recently in Damascus, where a wall in the al-Qadam neighborhood still bears a partially defaced mural of former president Bashar al-Assad — a stark reminder of Syria’s turbulent past and uncertain future.

While Ankara has yet to comment officially on the Baku meeting, Turkish officials have in recent weeks reaffirmed their country’s interest in expanding its influence in central Syria under the pretext of counter-terrorism and regional stabilization efforts.

The Baku meeting highlights growing efforts by Israel and Turkey to manage their strategic differences through diplomatic channels, even as both nations pursue divergent goals in Syria. However, Israel’s firm stance on Palmyra suggests that while dialogue may continue, it will be underpinned by clear red lines.