19.08.2026 14:51
Following Israel's strike on a base in Syria near the Turkish border, Chief of the General Staff General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu held a phone call with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine of the United States. During the call, bilateral relations and regional issues were discussed. Additionally, the US Special Representative for Syria, Tom Barrack, had stated yesterday that the US is working to establish a de-confliction mechanism among Israel, Turkey, and Syria.
Following Israel's strike on a Syrian air base near Turkey's border, a notable conversation took place between the US and Turkey.
REGIONAL ISSUES ADDRESSED
Chief of the General Staff General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu spoke by phone with US Chief of Staff General Dan Caine.
In a statement from the Turkish Armed Forces' official X account, it was stated, "Chief of the General Staff General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu held a phone conversation with US Chief of Staff General Dan Caine. During the meeting, bilateral relations and regional issues were discussed."
ALSO MET WITH SAUDI COUNTERPART
Chief of the General Staff General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu also held a phone conversation with Saudi Arabian Chief of the General Staff General Fayyadh Bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili.
In a statement from the Ministry of National Defense, it was said, "Chief of the General Staff General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu held a phone conversation with Saudi Arabian Chief of the General Staff General Fayyadh Bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili. During the meeting, bilateral relations and regional issues were discussed."
US: JOINT MECHANISM TO BE ESTABLISHED
US Special Representative for Syria Tom Barrack said that following Israel's strike on a Syrian air base near Turkey's border, the US is working to establish a conflict de-escalation mechanism between Israel, Turkey, and Syria.
Barrack, who is also the US Ambassador to Turkey, said Turkey was not given prior warning about the Israeli strikes.
WHAT HAD HAPPENED?
Syrian state television announced that eight airstrikes were carried out on Tuesday, August 18, on the runway and storage facilities of Abu Zuhur airport. No injuries were reported in the attack.
The US described the attack as "an unnecessary escalation" and issued a rare statement of condemnation toward Israel. Turkey also condemned the attack.
Although Israel did not directly comment on the strikes, it stated that Syria was "on the brink of violating the security status quo," accusing Damascus of allowing Turkish troops to be deployed at the air base.