Israel to Turkey: Change in troop deployment in Syria is a red line

A source noted that any action posing danger to Israel will also put the Syrian government at risk.

 Fighters of the ruling Syrian body patrol the streets in Homs, Syria, December 26, 2024 (photo credit: REUTERS/KHALIL ASHAWI)
Fighters of the ruling Syrian body patrol the streets in Homs, Syria, December 26, 2024
(photo credit: REUTERS/KHALIL ASHAWI)

Israeli and Turkish representatives met in Azerbaijan on Wednesday as part of efforts to create a coordination mechanism in Syria.

During the meeting, the Israeli delegation made it unequivocally clear that any change in the deployment of foreign forces in Syria, particularly the establishment of Turkish bases in the Palmyra area, is a redline and will be considered a serious breach, a source told The Jerusalem Post.

The Israeli team for talks with Turkey was led by National Security Council head Tzachi Hanegbi and the government’s military secretary, Brig.-Gen. Roman Gofman.

During the discussions, each side presented its interests in the region, and they agreed to continue the dialogue to maintain security stability, the Prime Minister’s Office said.

Prevention of threats

Israel has previously conveyed that preventing such a threat is the responsibility of the government in Damascus, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa.

 A wall painted with a damaged drawing of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is pictured in the al-Qadam neighbourhood in Damascus, Syria, March 26, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/FIRAS MAKDESI)
A wall painted with a damaged drawing of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is pictured in the al-Qadam neighbourhood in Damascus, Syria, March 26, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/FIRAS MAKDESI)
Any action that endangers Israel will also endanger the Syrian government, the source noted.