Turkish and Israeli representatives were expected to come together for a second round of direct talks in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku on Thursday aimed at preventing potential clashes stemming from their military activities in Syria, according to Azerbaijani and Israeli media.
The collapse of the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has left a power vacuum and brought Turkey and Israel into direct proximity as neighboring players in the region.
Turkey’s influence in Syria has worried Israel, which has launched airstrikes and ground incursions to keep Syrian forces away from its border.
The discussions in Baku were expected to focus on addressing Israeli security concerns and reducing tensions related to developments in Syria.
According to the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation, Israel is pressing two primary demands: the prevention of any deployment of forces posing a threat near its border with Syria and opposition to the presence of strategic weaponry on Syrian soil that could be used against it.
Israeli media reported that the talks aim to establish a joint military coordination mechanism to prevent accidental clashes in Syria, similar to the previous deconfliction arrangement between the Israeli army and Russian forces.
The need for urgent consultations reportedly arose after the first recorded incident of direct contact between the Israeli and Turkish air forces in Syrian airspace. Reports state that on Friday night Turkish F-16 fighter jets entered Syrian airspace during heavy Israeli airstrikes on several targets, including objects allegedly linked to Turkey.
Turkish pilots reportedly sent “warning signals” to the Israeli Air Force using electronic warfare and communication systems, signaling their presence in the operation zone.
Republican Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina, a senior member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, on Wednesday welcomed the talks between Turkey and Israel in Azerbaijan, expressing support for efforts to stabilize Syria.
“I welcome the talks between our friends Türkiye & Israel in Azerbaijan on Syria. I support President Trump’s efforts to negotiate between Türkiye & Israel on an agreement to help facilitate Syria’s security stability and sovereignty. The entire region benefits from a stable Syria,” he wrote on X.
The first round of the talks was held in Baku on April 9, described by Turkish sources as “technical discussions” to establish a deconfliction mechanism.
While Israel views a Turkish military presence in Syria as a potential threat, Ankara aims to stabilize the country by leveraging its military capabilities and filling the power vacuum left by the withdrawal of Russia and Iran.