Syria to Israel: We won't allow extremists on border; Israel skeptical
With the increasing Israeli nervousness over Turkish and terrorist activity in Syria, the new Syrian government is trying to send calming messages to Israel, with little success.
Syria is reportedly sending indirect, calming messages to Israel in order to allay its fears about hostile activity emanating from the country, according to a report today (Wednesday) by Kann reporter Roi Kais.
Israel has become increasingly nervous over the increased activity of terrorist groups such as Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Syria, many of whose members operating in the country were released from prison.
Even worse, Turkey is reportedly looking to bolster its forces and presence in the country, including occupying or at least operating out of major airbases, bringing its forces much closer to Israel and potentially restricting Israeli freedom of operation against terrorists and weapons which might endanger the country.
A "senior Syrian security source" has reportedly tried to send Israel the message that Syria wants quiet and stability and would not allow any "extremist" groups to operate in southern Syria near the border with Israel. He did not, however, make any mention of Turkey.
Israel is currently not taking these claims seriously, and continues to deploy forces in southern Syria as part of a forward defensive operation to protect the country. It also struck multiple targets in Syria tonight as part of an effort to deny important infrastructure to possibly hostile forces - including, reportedly, Turkey.