Turkish and Israeli officials held first technical talks aimed at preventing unwanted incidents in Syria, where militaries of the two regional powers are active, Turkish ministry sources and an Israeli political source said on Thursday.
The Turkish sources said the technical talks on Wednesday, in Azerbaijan, marked the beginning of efforts to set up a channel to avoid potential clashes or misunderstandings over military operations in the region.
"Efforts will continue to establish this mechanism," one of the Turkish sources said, without providing further details on the scope or timeline of the talks.
An Israeli political source confirmed the meeting took place and said that "Israel made it unequivocally clear that any change in the deployment of foreign forces in Syria – and in particular the establishment of Turkish bases in the Palmyra area – is a red line and will be considered a breaking of the rules."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed in statement that an Israeli delegation led by National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi had held talks with Turkish officials in Azerbaijan on Wednesday.
The statement did not give details about the talks.
The initiative comes a week after Israel stepped up airstrikes on Syria, which it described as a warning to the newly formed government in Damascus. It has also accused Türkiye of attempting to turn Syria into a Turkish protectorate.
Reuters reported last week that Turkish military teams had inspected at least three air bases in Syria where they could deploy forces as part of a planned joint defence pact with Damascus - before Israel hit the sites with airstrikes.
Türkiye and Israel - which have traded diplomatic barbs since Israel's attacks began on Gaza in 2023 - each said last week they did not seek confrontation in Syria, which both border.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan confirmed on Wednesday that technical talks were taking place, emphasizing that such mechanisms were necessary to prevent misunderstandings between the two regional powers' forces.
Kyrgyzstan and Türkiye have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening economic cooperation, with a shared goal of boosting bilateral trade turnover to $5 billion in the coming years.
Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan visits Doha to meet Qatar’s Emir and Prime Minister, aiming to deepen ties and coordinate on regional issues, as the two allies strengthen their strategic partnership and prepare for upcoming talks.
Russia and Türkiye will hold consultations on the Middle East, including Syria and Palestine, on 25th April in Istanbul, according to a Turkish Foreign Ministry source speaking to TASS.
UEFA has opened a new office in Istanbul to support the organization of major tournaments, including the 2026 Europa League final, 2027 Conference League final, and EURO 2032. President Ceferin praised Türkiye’s hosting record and ongoing collaboration.
A powerful 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck Istanbul's Silivri district on Wednesday, according to Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD).
South Africa’s 2024/25 maize harvest is now forecast at 14.66 million tonnes, up 14 % from last season and slightly above March’s estimate, the Crop Estimates Committee said in its latest outlook.
An explosion rocked a residential area in Taiyuan, Shanxi province, northern China, killing at least one person and injuring 21 others, according to state media.
U.S. Treasury primary dealers want Congress to scrap the federal debt ceiling, warning in new TBAC minutes that the limit lifts borrowing costs, fuels market turmoil and could weaken the dollar’s reserve-currency standing.
Russia and North Korea on Wednesday launched construction of a road bridge between the two countries that will span the Tumen river, marking strategic partnership between the two countries, Russia's prime minister said.
Canada’s economy contracted 0.2 % in February, its first monthly decline since November, as slumps in mining, oil and gas extraction, and construction dragged overall output lower, Statistics Canada said.
Russia launched a major missile and drone assault on Kyiv overnight on April 24, killing at least twelve people and injuring 90, including children and a pregnant woman, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
In an expansive interview marking his first 100 days back in office, President Donald Trump sketched out an agenda that touches everything from punitive tariffs and China policy to cease-fire hopes in Ukraine and an overhaul of domestic programmes. Below are the highlights.
A deadly explosion at Iran’s Bandar Abbas port has left at least 40 dead, with more than 1,200 people injured, state media reported on Sunday, halting operations at one of the country’s most vital trade hubs.
For three generations, the Liebigs built railcars in Görlitz. Now, the factory that shaped their lives will produce parts for battle tanks.
North Korea has launched a new 5,000-tonne destroyer as part of Kim Jong Un’s plans to expand the country’s naval power far beyond its coastal waters.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has announced the upcoming release of a documentary film about Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Operation in Iran’s Shahid Rajaei Port in the southern city of Bandar Abbas is back to normal after firefighters put off the deadly fire which broke out on Saturday, customs authorities said.
Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili expressed hope that Armenia and Azerbaijan will sign a peace agreement in the near future, contributing to the positive development dynamics of the South Caucasus region.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) has opened its regional office in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Tuesday that Russia and Belarus are planning to establish a joint aviation factory focused on producing drones and other aircraft. The announcement came during a meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in the Russian city of Volgograd.
South Africa’s 2024/25 maize harvest is now forecast at 14.66 million tonnes, up 14 % from last season and slightly above March’s estimate, the Crop Estimates Committee said in its latest outlook.
An explosion rocked a residential area in Taiyuan, Shanxi province, northern China, killing at least one person and injuring 21 others, according to state media.
U.S. Treasury primary dealers want Congress to scrap the federal debt ceiling, warning in new TBAC minutes that the limit lifts borrowing costs, fuels market turmoil and could weaken the dollar’s reserve-currency standing.
Russia and North Korea on Wednesday launched construction of a road bridge between the two countries that will span the Tumen river, marking strategic partnership between the two countries, Russia's prime minister said.
Canada’s economy contracted 0.2 % in February, its first monthly decline since November, as slumps in mining, oil and gas extraction, and construction dragged overall output lower, Statistics Canada said.
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