JERUSALEM, Aug. 22 — Israel told the United States that Türkiye was preparing to deploy a radar system and air-defense assets at a Syrian airbase, Israel’s state-owned Kan TV News reported on Saturday.
Israeli security officials reportedly told Washington that the alleged Turkish move could “significantly” alter the regional balance of power.
Sources familiar with the discussions told the channel that Israel did not provide a timetable for the possible Turkish deployment.
Yet, they identified Abu al-Duhur military airport, which was struck by Israeli air force on Tuesday, in northwest Syria, as a potential site.
The Tuesday strikes further strained relations between Türkiye and Israel. U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack said Israel did not inform the United States of the attack in advance.
An Israeli official said the strikes were aimed at preventing the arrival of Turkish equipment or troops by air at the airbase.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the strikes were in response to “clear intelligence” about Türkiye’s intentions to act in ways that would “endanger” Israel’s security.
He said Syria had received a diplomatic warning before the strike. (Namibia Daily News / Xinhua)
