US seeks Israel-Türkiye deconfliction mechanism after Israeli strike

The United States is actively pursuing the creation of a military coordination mechanism that includes Türkiye, Syria, and Israel. This initiative aims to mitigate the risk of further escalation, particularly after a recent Israeli airstrike on a Syrian airbase close to the Turkish border. U.S. Syria envoy Tom Barrack stated that Türkiye was not forewarned of the strikes, leading to its observation of aircraft heading north towards its territory.

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Türkiye had not been warned about the Israeli strikes, and consequently observed the aircraft heading north toward its territory and therefore could have reasonably prepared its own response.

Barrack, who also serves as the U.S. ambassador to Türkiye, noted that "calm heads were able to prevent the situation from deteriorating further." He highlighted that Türkiye condemned the Israeli strikes on the Abu al-Dahur airbase in northwestern Syria but offered no further comment, including on the proposed deconfliction mechanism. Such a mechanism functions as a communication channel designed to prevent misunderstandings or accidental confrontations between military or political entities.

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Thankfully, calm heads were able to prevent the situation from deteriorating further.

Tensions have been rising between Israel and Türkiye, both of which share borders with Syria. These tensions are exacerbated by what the article describes as Israel's "expansionist and aggressive policies that violate international law." Türkiye has been a significant ally to Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, providing military and diplomatic support, training the Syrian army, and aiding in the rebuilding of state institutions and infrastructure.

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This underscores the need for a deconfliction mechanism involving Israel, Syria and Türkiye. That is something we are actively working on to establish in order to prevent future miscommunication.

Barrack suggested that Israel's strikes might have stemmed from a perception, accurate or not, that Türkiye could increase its presence at the targeted airbase. "This underscores the need for a deconfliction mechanism involving Israel, Syria and Türkiye," he said, adding that the U.S. is "actively working on to establish" it to prevent future miscommunication. The immediate priority, he stressed, is to "lower tensions and allow space for a more measured approach."

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The priority now is to lower tensions and allow space for a more measured approach.