US Envoy Suggests Israeli Syria Strike Provoked Turkey Ahead of Elections
FlatRigor 587 sources
The Story
US Special Envoy to Syria and Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack suggested on Saturday that the Israeli strike on the Abu al-Duhur military base in Syria on Tuesday may have been intended to provoke Ankara. Barrack stated this was a possible theory, not an intelligence-based conclusion, and could be linked to political considerations ahead of Israel's elections. Netanyahu characterized the strikes as a warning to Turkey against expanding its military presence in Syria or helping rebuild Syrian armed forces. Netanyahu's office claimed Israel and Syria had agreed to a status quo in security matters, which Damascus was on the verge of breaching by permitting Turkish troops to deploy at the airbase near Aleppo. Netanyahu later stated Israel would not tolerate a Turkish military entrenchment in Syria that advances southward. Barrack said the Israeli aircraft approached within about 80 kilometers of the Turkish border without notifying Ankara or Washington. Washington expressed deep concern at Israel's unnecessary escalation. Barrack stated that Israel had received intelligence suggesting Turkey might be moving military equipment or personnel onto a Syrian air base, but Washington checked the information and determined the deployment was not taking place. Diplomatic discussions occurred prior to the strike, including a two-hour backchannel conversation between Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and Mossad chief David Barnea. Despite this, Israeli aircraft appeared and struck runways without notifying Washington or Turkey. Barrack offered a second explanation for the strike: a serious breakdown in communication between Mossad, the Israeli military, and Netanyahu’s office. He said the US is now focused on lowering tensions between Netanyahu and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Turkey and Syria denied any such deployment was planned.
The Spread
Flat
What they agree on
- Israel conducted eight air strikes on the Abu al-Duhur military base in Syria on Tuesday.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the strikes were a warning to Turkey regarding its military presence in Syria.
- US Special Envoy to Syria and Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack suggested the strike nearly triggered a direct military confrontation with Turkey.
- Barrack stated Israeli aircraft approached within about 80 kilometers of the Turkish border without notifying Ankara or Washington.
- Washington expressed "deep concern" at Israel's "unnecessary escalation."
Where they split
- The Jerusalem Post and Daily Sabah highlight US Envoy Tom Barrack's theory that the Israeli strike might have been a "pre-election concept" to provoke Ankara.
- South China Morning Post and RT (Russia Today) focus on the rising fears of military confrontation between Israel and Turkey and the warnings exchanged between leaders.
- PBS NewsHour and Daily Sabah detail Barrack's account of Washington checking intelligence that indicated no Turkish deployment was taking place, and the diplomatic backchannel conversations that preceded the strike.
- Middle East Eye and RT (Russia Today) mention the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement signed by Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan less than two weeks prior to the strike.
Source Perspectives
Center4 sources