Turkey ‘crossed a red line’ in Syria, Israeli ambassador to US Leiter tells ‘Post’

Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter asserted that Turkey "crossed a red line" with its intention to significantly expand its military presence in Syria. Jerusalem viewed this move as a violation of prior understandings that had maintained a status quo in the conflict-ridden country.

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We are not seeking escalation or war with either Turkey or Syria. But a red line was crossed.

Leiter explained that Israel issued clear intelligence warnings to those who needed to know about Turkey's plans. He stated that these warnings were disregarded, leading Israel to conduct strikes on the Abu al-Duhur airbase near Aleppo. Syrian officials reported at least eight strikes on the airfield, with satellite imagery showing damage to its runways.

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This was supposed to be a blatant Turkish violation of the understandings. Those who needed to be exposed to the intelligence received it. Those who needed to know what was coming knew. We made clear that this was a violation of our understandings, and that is why Israel acted as it did.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reinforced Israel's message, stating, "Israel made the message clear: Don’t." Leiter elaborated that the Turkish actions contradicted understandings reached during the Biden administration between Israel and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's government. These understandings, reaffirmed in a January 2026 meeting in Paris, aimed to "freeze the existing situation."

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Israel made the message clear: Don’t.

Leiter contrasted Turkey's actions with Israel's position, noting that while Israel occupies a small security zone, Turkey has "carried out a creeping annexation of 3,500 square miles in northern Syria over the past several years." Despite the tensions, Leiter stressed that Israel believes Syria is not seeking an escalation of the conflict.

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The freeze means that just as the Turks don’t move, neither do we, and they don’t force us to withdraw.