Before the attack: Mossad chief spoke with Syrian Foreign Minister regarding Turkey's presence in Syria
The unusual conversation between the Mossad chief and the Syrian Foreign Minister took place shortly before the Israeli strike. Benjamin Netanyahu stated: "We ensured they understood the message." Eyal Zamir added: "We will know how to use force where necessary."
Mossad chief Roman Gofman spoke on August 14 with Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Shibani to discuss Turkey's military presence in Syria, Reuters reported, citing several sources familiar with the details. According to the report, this was the first conversation between the Syrian Foreign Minister and the Mossad chief since Gofman took office in June.
The conversation took place four days before the unusual IDF strike on the Abu al-Duhur military airport in Idlib province, approximately 70 km from the Turkish border. Israel claimed responsibility for the attack, clarifying that it was intended to prevent Turkish military entrenchment in Syria.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also addressed the Turkish presence, emphasizing that Israel would not tolerate threats to its security:
"We will not tolerate a Turkish military entrenchment in Syria that threatens Israel. We made the message clear: Don't. Apparently, they didn't hear it well enough, so we made sure they understood it better."
Tensions remain high, as Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, visited southern Syria. During the visit, he warned against the development of a significant military threat on the border:
"We will know how to use our power precisely where it is needed and when it is needed."
Reactions in Turkey: "If you have the courage — let's fight"
Israel's official admission of the airstrike on the Abu al-Duhur airbase, located just 72 km from the Turkish border, caused a storm in the Turkish media. Television channels, newspapers, and news websites in Ankara and Istanbul sharply attacked Israel, rejecting the justifications provided. Turkish national security expert Metin Gurcan expressed a militant stance during a live broadcast, calling out: "If you have the courage — let's fight, Israel!"
