Netanyahu: Israel to establish security belt in Syria

Netanyahu said Israel had decided to establish a “security belt” in Syria to counter what he described as the possibility of a “jihadist” invasion from Syrian territory, according to Israeli media.

He said Turkey has a presence in northern Syria, stressing that Israel does not want Turkish forces to advance south. He added that he had told the Syrian administration that it must not advance south or allow Turkey to move in that direction.

Netanyahu said there had been a “status quo” in place, but that it had been violated or there had been plans to violate it. He said Israel had informed Turkey that it would not tolerate the establishment of Turkish military fortifications at an airport south of the area where Turkish forces are currently deployed.

Netanyahu said the message was conveyed to Turkey through the Americans and other channels, as well as directly to the Syrian side. He added: “It seems the message was not understood, so we were forced to deliver it through what we call kinetic means.”

Netanyahu stressed that he was not seeking conflict, but said Israel “cannot rely solely on the intentions of the enemy,” adding: “When you are weak, they attack you; when you are strong, they respect you, and they make peace with the strong.”

ANHA