JERUSALEM/ANKARA, April 10 (Xinhua) -- An Israeli delegation held talks with Turkish officials in Azerbaijan on Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed on Thursday, as both countries try to avoid unintended military clashes in Syria amid rising tensions.
In a statement, Netanyahu's office announced that the Israeli delegation was led by National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi, with the participation of senior representatives from the Defense Ministry and security services.
Citing an Israeli political source, Israel's state-owned Kan TV News reported on Thursday that Israel emphasized during the talks that any change in the deployment of foreign forces in Syria would cross a red line and be considered a breach of all rules.
Israel had conveyed a message to Türkiye that military intervention, especially the establishment of Turkish bases in the Palmyra area, would have repercussions for the Syrian regime, according to Kan TV.
Quoting sources from the Turkish Defense Ministry, Türkiye's state-run TRT broadcaster said the two countries had launched technical discussions to establish a mechanism aimed at preventing unintended military encounters in Syria.
"Work will continue for the establishment of a de-escalation mechanism," according to TRT.
The development follows intensified Israeli airstrikes on Syrian targets recently, including strikes on Palmyra and T-4 (Tiyas) military air bases in central Syria's Homs governorate in late March.
According to media reports, Türkiye is planning to deploy troops and air defense systems at some air bases in Syria. Enditem
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