Foreign Relations

Defense Official Says Israel Uses Covert Channels With Turkey

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Courtroom-sketch editorial illustration in a split composition, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in a dark suit and green tie against a slate-blue background on the left and Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz in a dark suit and red tie against a pale background on the right, drawn in warm ochre and slate-blue chalk and pastel strokes with cross-hatching on sepia newsprint.

An Israeli defense official said Israel and Turkey maintain covert channels to exchange messages and prevent friction, while stressing that Israel does not seek to turn Turkey into an enemy. The official said Israel will act when messages fail, citing red lines against Turkish anti-aircraft systems, advanced missiles and drones in Syria that could limit Israeli operational freedom. Israel reportedly struck infrastructure and runways at Abu al-Duhur before Turkish equipment arrived. Ankara denied that a Turkish military delegation was present at the base before or during the strikes.

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