Turkey firmly rejects Israeli claims of military meddling in Syria

Around 19 August 2026, Turkey rejected Israeli claims about a Turkish military presence in Syria after an Israeli strike on a Syrian base. Turkey called the claims about a planned troop deployment 'frivolous allegations' and 'untenable', and accused Netanyahu of pursuing 'expansionist' policies.

Netanyahu said Israel will not tolerate a Turkish military presence in Syria and that he warned Turkey before Israel struck the base. Syria's foreign minister, al-Shaibani, said Israel was told that Turkey was not building forces at the airbase, according to the Jerusalem Post, while the Times of Israel reported that Syrian officials confirmed a Turkish visit. Al Arabiya, citing sources, reported that the Mossad director and Syria's foreign minister discussed Turkish military deployments before the strikes.