"Turkish tanks in the Golan, frigates off Caesarea": the unusual warning from a senior Israeli intelligence official
A senior Israeli intelligence official warns that without clear red lines vis-à-vis Ankara, Israel could in the future face Turkish tanks in the Golan and frigates off Caesarea. The background: Turkey's entrenchment in Syria, the weakening of Iran and Russia, and the fear of a new Syrian army under Erdogan's patronage that would limit the IAF's freedom of action.
A very senior Israeli intelligence official warned that without clear red lines vis-à-vis Ankara, Israel could in the future face "Turkish tanks in the Golan and frigates off Caesarea." The unusual warning was published against the backdrop of Turkey's entrenchment in Syria, following the weakening of Iran and Russia in the country. The main concern in Jerusalem is that a new Syrian army, built with Turkey's help and dependent on it operationally and technologically, would grant Ankara strategic depth opposite Israel and even limit the IAF's freedom of action. The article quotes Weinberg, who points to the immediate maritime threat: the strengthening of the Turkish navy, which includes dozens of frigates, destroyers, amphibious landing craft, and 12 submarines, compared to the smaller Israeli navy. Alongside the military threat, the article emphasizes the political complexity: Turkey is a NATO member, has an advanced defense industry, and close ties with US President Trump. However, there are shared interests, such as preventing Iran's return to Syria and the strengthening of ISIS. The main challenge, according to the article, is as much political as military: setting red lines vis-à-vis Turkey and preventing a direct clash between the air forces.