Israel strikes Syrian base, warns Turkey amid defense pact with Saudi Arabia, Pakistan

Tensions between Turkey and Israel have flared after Israel attacked a Syrian base in Idlib, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described as a warning against Turkish military expansion.

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We will not tolerate the strengthening of Turkey's military position in Syria that threatens Israel.

"We will not tolerate the strengthening of Turkey's military position in Syria that threatens Israel," Netanyahu stated on August 20, 2028. The strike followed the signing of a mutual defense pact, the Mecca Accord, between Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan. This agreement obligates the three nations to defend each other if attacked.

Internal sources in Ankara believe Israel's strike was not just a political maneuver before Israeli elections but also an attempt to weaken Turkey's credibility in its support for Syria. "The Mecca Agreement involving Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, which Israel describes as a new Sunni axis, puts Netanyahu in a difficult domestic position," one source said. "So, Israel is essentially saying: We don't care about the new security architecture Turkey is building, and we will continue to launch attacks wherever and whenever we want."

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The Mecca Agreement involving Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, which Israel describes as a new Sunni axis, puts Netanyahu in a difficult domestic position.

The sources also indicated that Israel is testing the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, who had welcomed the Mecca Agreement. The second source noted that Israel has officially declared its view of Turkey's presence in Syria as a threat. "Israel may face elections, but Turkey also holds elections in 2028. These tensions could worsen and trigger a repeat of the 2015 incident, when Ankara shot down a Russian fighter jet," the source warned. This strike could also be a direct message to President Erdogan, who had recently revealed plans to visit Damascus. "This is a way to tell Erdogan that they will not let him feel comfortable in Syria," the source added.

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So, essentially Israel is saying: We don't care about the new security architecture Turkey is building, and we will continue to launch attacks wherever and whenever we want.

Neither Pakistan nor Saudi Arabia has commented on the Turkey-Israel tensions. Syria condemned the attack, reporting that eight strikes hit an unused airbase runway. Israeli officials initially provided conflicting explanations before settling on their official narrative. The situation remains tense as regional dynamics shift.

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Israel may face elections, but Turkey also holds elections in 2028. These tensions could worsen and trigger a repeat of the 2015 incident, when Ankara shot down a Russian fighter jet.