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Israeli Defense Minister Katz thanks Azerbaijan for mediating with Turkey over Syria
By Turkish Minute
19.05.2025
Source:https://www.turkishminute.com/2025/05/19/israeli-defense-minister-katz-thanks-azerbaijan-for-mediating-with-turkey-over-syria/
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Monday thanked Azerbaijan for helping mediate military and diplomatic coordination with Turkey amid growing friction in Syria, where both countries have deployed forces since the fall of Bashar al-Assad, Israeli media outlets reported.
Katz met with his Azerbaijani counterpart, Zakir Hasanov, in Baku, days after senior Israeli and Turkish defense officials held talks in the Azerbaijani capital to establish a deconfliction mechanism in Syria.
The talks come as Tel Aviv and Ankara seek to avoid direct military clashes in the war-torn country, where Israeli air operations and Turkish troop deployments have increased since December 2024.
That month, the Assad regime was deposed by an alliance of opposition forces backed by Turkey, paving the way for a new government led by Ahmad al-Sharaa.
Although Israel has denied direct contact with Syrian officials, multiple reports have indicated indirect communication facilitated by regional intermediaries, including Azerbaijan.
IDF Operations Command Chief Oded Basiuk reportedly traveled to Azerbaijan to meet with Turkish counterparts, underscoring Baku’s role as a neutral venue and broker.
Katz’s visit also included a message of gratitude for Azerbaijan’s support of Israel since the Hamas-led October 7 attacks, which sparked an intense military campaign by Israel in Gaza and global accusations of genocide against Israeli military actions.
Katz additionally cited Azerbaijan’s symbolic show of solidarity in awarding Israel the highest possible points at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
Strategically, Azerbaijan holds value for Israel due to its proximity to Iran and long-standing security cooperation, including reported intelligence operations.
The military coordination talks follow a reported encounter between Israeli and Turkish warplanes over Syria, where Turkish jets allegedly used electronic signals to warn Israeli aircraft during strikes near Palmyra.
The fallout from that incident and rising tensions prompted a second round of deconfliction talks, scheduled again in Baku this month, according to Israeli and Azerbaijani media.
Both countries are trying to contain risks of accidental conflict in Syria, where their interests diverge sharply.
While Israel favors a weak, fragmented Syria that poses no future military threat, Turkey is pushing for a centralized state capable of securing borders and returning millions of refugees.
Turkey also backs factions within the new Syrian government that are at odds with Israeli security priorities, including Islamist groups viewed as extremists by Israel.
Despite Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s fiery anti-Israel rhetoric, including public prayers calling for Israel’s destruction, Ankara has adopted a quieter, pragmatic tone in its diplomatic statements.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has said the goal of the Baku talks is to “prevent unwanted incidents” in Syria through coordination with Israel.
By Turkish Minute
19.05.2025
Source:https://www.turkishminute.com/2025/05/19/israeli-
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Monday thanked Azerbaijan for helping mediate military and diplomatic coordination with Turkey amid growing friction in Syria, where both countries have deployed forces since the fall of Bashar al-
Katz met with his Azerbaijani counterpart, Zakir Hasanov, in Baku, days after senior Israeli and Turkish defense officials held talks in the Azerbaijani capital to establish a deconfliction mechanism in Syria.
The talks come as Tel Aviv and Ankara seek to avoid direct military clashes in the war-
That month, the Assad regime was deposed by an alliance of opposition forces backed by Turkey, paving the way for a new government led by Ahmad al-
Although Israel has denied direct contact with Syrian officials, multiple reports have indicated indirect communication facilitated by regional intermediaries, including Azerbaijan.
IDF Operations Command Chief Oded Basiuk reportedly traveled to Azerbaijan to meet with Turkish counterparts, underscoring Baku’s role as a neutral venue and broker.
Katz’s visit also included a message of gratitude for Azerbaijan’s support of Israel since the Hamas-
Katz additionally cited Azerbaijan’s symbolic show of solidarity in awarding Israel the highest possible points at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
Strategically, Azerbaijan holds value for Israel due to its proximity to Iran and long-
The military coordination talks follow a reported encounter between Israeli and Turkish warplanes over Syria, where Turkish jets allegedly used electronic signals to warn Israeli aircraft during strikes near Palmyra.
The fallout from that incident and rising tensions prompted a second round of deconfliction talks, scheduled again in Baku this month, according to Israeli and Azerbaijani media.
Both countries are trying to contain risks of accidental conflict in Syria, where their interests diverge sharply.
While Israel favors a weak, fragmented Syria that poses no future military threat, Turkey is pushing for a centralized state capable of securing borders and returning millions of refugees.
Turkey also backs factions within the new Syrian government that are at odds with Israeli security priorities, including Islamist groups viewed as extremists by Israel.
Despite Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s fiery anti-
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has said the goal of the Baku talks is to “prevent unwanted incidents” in Syria through coordination with Israel.