Far beyond the conflict between Israel and Damascus: How Ankara perceives the attack in northern Syria
World press headlines: Despite the Israeli attack near Turkey, Ankara is not interested in a conflict with Israel; maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has dropped significantly compared to the pre-war period, and shipping companies are still afraid to pass through the area; Jordan is asking China to be more involved in efforts to promote a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Globes presents a daily brief review of interesting news from the world media about Israel.
1. The attack in Syria is perceived in Ankara as a direct warning to Turkey
The Israeli attack on the Abu al-Duhur base in northern Syria is perceived in Turkey as a message that goes far beyond the conflict between Israel and Damascus: a warning against expanding the Turkish military presence in Syria, according to an analysis by Al-Monitor. The base is located only about 70 km from the Turkish border, and the article explains that according to Israel, Syria was about to allow Turkish forces to deploy there. In Turkey, they rejected the claims and said that Israel is using the Turkish presence as an excuse for attacks on Syrian territory.
Furthermore, according to the report, in Turkey they believe that the message is also aimed at the new security alliance it signed this month with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. The agreement states that an attack on one of the three countries will be considered an attack on all of them, but according to a Turkish security official who spoke with Al-Monitor, Israel seeks to clarify that this alliance will not limit its freedom of action in Syria. One of the interviewees in the article defined the attack as a "very serious message, not a bluff."
Behind the conflict lies a broader dispute over the future of Syria. Turkey is deepening its security ties with the government in Damascus, while Israel fears that a significant Turkish presence in the country will later limit its ability to operate in Syrian territory and airspace. The concern is not only about Turkish soldiers: in Israel, they are also monitoring the possibility that Ankara will provide the Syrian army with weapons, drones, and advanced military systems. Turkey has already installed an ASELSAN-made radar at the Damascus airport, and in Ankara, they fear that the latest attack indicates that Israel now opposes the expansion of the Turkish presence in all parts of Syria.
Despite this, at this stage, Turkey is not interested in being dragged into a direct conflict. According to the article, Ankara intends to maintain restraint at least until the elections in Israel in October, partly because it fears that Benjamin Netanyahu will use a conflict with Erdogan for political purposes. At the same time, the US is trying to promote a new coordination mechanism between Israel, Turkey, and Syria to reduce the risk of an accidental collision. However, Turkey also makes it clear that it does not intend to give up its status in Syria, so the real test may come if an Israeli attack directly hits Turkish forces in the future.
2. The Strait of Hormuz is emptying: Traffic is about 90% lower than before the war
Fewer than 20 cargo ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend, against the backdrop of attacks in the area and restrictions imposed by Iran and the US on traffic in the shipping lane, according to Reuters. On Sunday, only four ships passed through the strait, and on Saturday 13, compared to 16 on Friday. However, it is noted that the numbers may still be updated, because some ships turn off their identification systems during the passage to make it difficult to track them.
However, the more striking figure is how far the volume of traffic is still from the routine. According to the British maritime trade agency UKMTO, the number of ships currently passing through the strait and being picked up by tracking systems is about 90% lower compared to the pre-war period. Last week, 103 vessels entered the Gulf and 89 left it. Oil and gas tankers still make up a large part of the traffic, and in recent days, several passages of large tankers have even been recorded, some of them sailing without cargo on their way to collect oil and gas in the region.
The fear of shipping companies is not surprising. Since July 6, 23 incidents have been reported in which ships were hit by missiles or projectiles in the strait and its vicinity, and in some cases, damage was caused to engines, command bridges, and ship hulls. Following the attacks, ships continue to cancel passages or change routes. Thus, even months after the start of the crisis, one of the most important energy routes in the world is still operating at a very limited volume, and any further hit could again drive away shipping companies that have already begun to consider returning.
3. Jordan wants China to be more involved in the two-state solution
Jordan is asking China to take a more significant role in efforts to promote a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, according to a Reuters report published in Arab News. Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, who is accompanying King Abdullah on a visit to China, said that the Palestinian issue remains, from Amman's perspective, the central issue in the Middle East, and praised China's consistent support for the two-state solution.
Safadi said that Jordan is not satisfied with China's principled support, but wants to see Beijing actually involved in attempts to reach a settlement. According to him, "We appreciate China's clear position. China supports the two-state solution and a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue." He added that Jordan expects China to "be a part and play a role" in efforts to promote such a solution.
The Jordanian appeal to China comes against the backdrop of Beijing's attempts in recent years to increase its political influence in the Middle East, beyond the extensive economic ties it has already built in the region. From Jordan's perspective, greater Chinese involvement could expand the circle of countries exerting pressure to promote a political settlement, at a time when the Palestinian issue continues to be at the center of regional tension.
Safadi emphasized that from Jordan's perspective, other crises in the region should also be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy and in accordance with international law. According to him, the goal is to reach a "just peace that guarantees the rights of all parties, brings security and stability, and ultimately drives economic development."
