Turkey, Israel Discuss De-escalation in Syria Amid Rising Tensions

Turkey and Israel have initiated talks to establish a de-escalation mechanism aimed at preventing military conflicts in Syria, a response to rising tensions and mutual concerns about influence in the region following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed alarm over Turkey's military presence in Syria, labeling it a potential threat to Israel's security. The discussions, which took place in Azerbaijan, focus on avoiding unintended clashes between their armed forces, with Israeli officials asserting that any changes in Turkey's military deployment would be viewed as a serious breach. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized that these talks are strictly for conflict prevention and not aimed at normalizing relations. Both nations recognize the need for dialogue amidst their competing interests following the Syrian civil war, which has left the country in a precarious state. The ongoing technical discussions reflect the complexities of regional power dynamics and the necessity for cooperation in maintaining stability.