Officials from Türkiye and Israel held their first meeting in Azerbaijan on Wednesday to discuss mechanisms aimed at preventing conflict in Syria, the Turkish Defense Ministry confirmed on Thursday.
The ministry said the technical discussions focused on establishing a “conflict prevention mechanism” between the two nations to avoid “undesirable incidents” in Syria, amid escalating tensions in the region.
Ankara urged Israel to “immediately halt provocative attacks that threaten Syria’s territorial integrity and destabilize its security,” stressing that Israel must abandon its expansionist stance for regional security to be maintained.
“The international community must prevent this unlawfulness,” the ministry added.
The announcement came one day after Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan reiterated that Türkiye has “no intention to enter into conflict with any country, not with Israel or any other country” in Syria.
Tensions between Ankara and Tel Aviv have grown since the fall of the Assad regime in Syria late last year. While Türkiye has deployed troops in northern Syria to support anti-regime forces and combat terrorism, Israel has expressed concerns that the new Syrian leadership could pose a security threat along its border.
Ankara has also established a buffer zone in Syrian territory, which it intends to maintain indefinitely until new security arrangements are reached. Israeli forces have conducted airstrikes in the area for several weeks, further fueling tensions.
Türkiye has criticized Israeli strikes as an infringement on Syrian territory, warning of greater instability and insecurity in the Middle East. Israel, however, has vowed to prevent any “hostile” forces from operating in Syria, labeling the Turkish presence as a “danger to Israel.”
The deteriorating relationship between the two countries has worsened following Israel’s actions in Gaza. NATO member Türkiye has strongly condemned Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 2023, accusing Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians and joining a case against Israel at the World Court. Türkiye also suspended all trade with Israel in protest.
“Israel’s activities in the West Bank and continued attacks on neighboring countries are harming regional stability and peace,” the Turkish Defense Ministry said.
In a statement this week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought to secure U.S. President Donald Trump’s support amid rising tensions with Türkiye. Trump, however, expressed admiration for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, positioning himself as a potential mediator between the two countries.
“If you have a problem with Turkey, I really think you’re going to be able to work it out. You know, I have a very, very good relationship with Turkey and with their leader, and I think we’ll be able to work it out,” Trump told Netanyahu.
Meanwhile, Fidan reiterated on Wednesday that Türkiye cannot remain passive if instability in Syria poses a direct threat. He also emphasized that Israel’s actions in the region are counterproductive and could provoke further escalation.
To mitigate the risks of increased insecurity, Fidan stressed that Türkiye must act proactively through diplomacy and other measures to contain the crisis before it spirals further out of control.
In a related development, Turkish security forces eliminated 18 PKK/YPG terrorists in northern Syria and Iraq in the past week, the Defense Ministry reported. The forces also seized large quantities of weapons, munitions, and supplies from terrorist hideouts in Iraq’s mountainous regions.
The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the U.S., and the EU, has been responsible for over 40,000 deaths in Türkiye during its decades-long insurgency. The YPG/PYD, a Syrian offshoot of the PKK, has also been accused of attempting to establish a terrorist corridor along the Turkish-Syrian border.
According to the Defense Ministry, 555 PKK/YPG terrorists have been eliminated in northern Iraq and Syria since the beginning of 2025.
Regarding the recent withdrawal of PKK/YPG forces from Aleppo and the Tishrin Dam, Turkish sources noted the importance of the agreement between the YPG and the Syrian government. Türkiye is closely monitoring the situation to ensure the proper transfer of territory to Syrian control.
In a related move, the Syrian government has integrated the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into state institutions, reinforcing Syria’s territorial unity. The SDF has also initiated prisoner exchanges and begun clearing prisons in the region.
These developments come as PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan called for an end to the group’s armed struggle, signaling a potential shift after more than four decades of conflict targeting Türkiye.
