Turkey and Israel set up hotline to avoid clashes in Syria

Following bilateral talks in April, Turkey and Israel have set up a hotline to prevent possible military flare-ups in Syria. Despite diverging foreign policy in the Middle East, the backchannel communication could signify a genuine attempt to diffuse escalating tensions.

Turkish and Israeli officials have been meeting in the Azerbaijani capital Baku since April in an attempt to resolve their disputes regarding Syria, reports the Middle East Eye on May 21.

While a fifth round of the talks has been scheduled for later in May, a 24/7 hotline was reportedly established in April to “quickly resolve any accidental military tensions.”

Ankara emerged as a key regional actor following the ousting of the former Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, however, the Israeli government has made its reservations clear.

Several personnel from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government have repeatedly stated that Israel would not tolerate Turkey taking over airbases near Palmyra, a key location for Turkey in its fight against the Islamic State (IS).

Tensions peaked in April when Turkey’s move to take control of the T4 airbase near Palmyra last month drew Israeli airstrikes, damaging the base before Turkish forces could establish their presence.

Ankara reportedly plans to deploy surveillance drones and temporarily install a Russian-made S-400 air defense system at the site. This has raised alarm bells in Jerusalem over the possibility of real-time monitoring of its air force.

The Middle East Eye cites that “individuals familiar with the talks” have attested to the development of the “Palmyra line,”which effectively would carve out spheres of influence in Syria.

Both sides are to avoid crossing the line, respecting each other’s ground operations in the region. Airspace, however, remains a contentious issue.

For Israel, maintaining the operational capability to fly over Syria without being detected by Turkish radars, should Israel decide to strike Iranian nuclear assets, is vital.

Ankara maintains that its operations in Syria are confined to fighting IS and stabilizing central Syria in coordination with Iraq, Lebanon, and Jordan. It has strongly denied any interference in any agreements between Israel and Syria.

Middle East Eye/ Maghrebi