Netanyahu Issues Overt Threat to Turkey Over Syria Military Presence

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a stark warning to Turkey, stating that Israel will not permit any Turkish military buildup in southern Syria. Netanyahu asserted that such a development would pose a threat to Israel's security.

Speaking on an Israeli army radio podcast, Netanyahu declared, "We will not tolerate a Turkish military formation advancing southward. Because this threatens us." He claimed that Israel had previously conveyed messages to Turkey regarding its military presence in Syria, stating, "We told them in English 'Don't do it.' The message was delivered, but apparently, they didn't hear. So we made them understand better."

Netanyahu's comments came shortly after an Israeli airstrike targeted the Abu Zuhur Military Airport near Idlib in northern Syria the previous day. While not directly claiming responsibility for the strike, Netanyahu's remarks strongly implied that the operation served as a message to Turkey concerning its military activities in the region. The Israeli Prime Minister also alleged that Israel had previously sent "general" messages to Ankara regarding Turkey's military presence at an airbase near Aleppo.

The Prime Minister's Office echoed this sentiment, stating after the attack that Turkish military officials had recently inspected the base in question and that Turkey's military presence in the area could pose a threat to Israel. Meanwhile, opposition leader Yair Golan of the Democratic Party criticized the strike as "provocative and dangerous," warning that it could escalate the risk of direct conflict with Turkey and deepen tensions with allies, particularly the United States.