'Israel', Turkey hold secret communications over Syria: Israeli media
"Israel" is reportedly holding secret contacts with Turkey to avoid military clashes
in Syria following Israeli strikes on the Abu al-
23.08.2026
ByAl Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
Source: https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/-
"Israel" is maintaining secret communication channels with Turkey aimed at preventing direct friction between the two sides in Syria, the Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported, citing an Israeli security official.
The claim comes amid growing tensions over the military activities of "Israel" and
Turkey in Syria, particularly following Israeli airstrikes on the Abu al-
The Israeli official said the secret contacts are intended to prevent incidents between the two countries' forces and manage their competing activities inside Syria.
'Israel' claims Turkish military activity in Syria
The reported contacts follow claims by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's
office that Syria had been close to altering the existing security arrangements by
allowing Turkish forces to deploy at the Abu al-
Netanyahu said "Israel" would continue acting forcefully against "Turkey's attempts to destabilize the region" and against any threat to Israeli security.
Turkey has rejected the Israeli claims regarding its activities at the Syrian airbase, accusing Netanyahu's office of using them to justify Israeli airstrikes that Ankara says violate Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Turkish Defense Ministry previously said Ankara would continue supporting Syria in developing its military capabilities and infrastructure. It also denied that any Turkish military delegation was present at the targeted airbase before or during the Israeli strikes.
The Ministry called on the international community to take more serious measures in response to Israeli attacks.
Ankara rejects Israeli allegations
Turkey's Communications Director Burhanettin Duran also said Ankara would continue opposing Netanyahu's destabilizing activities.
Duran stressed that Turkey would not allow threats to its security or efforts to undermine its stability, while arguing that Netanyahu's increasingly confrontational rhetoric toward Ankara comes amid growing international pressure and criticism of his policies.
The latest disclosure of secret contacts indicates that, despite increasingly sharp public statements from both sides over their activities in Syria, Israeli and Turkish officials are maintaining channels intended to prevent their confrontation from escalating into a direct clash.