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Turkey rejects claims of cooperation with Israel in Syrian strike

Turkish FM slams reports claiming his country gave Israel 'critical intelligence' prior to alleged strike in Syria's Latakia. Minister Davutoglu: 'Never acted with Israel against any Muslim country, never will'

Israel is at odds with Turkey, Turkey is conflicted with Syria, and Jerusalem and Damascus are tense in regards to President Bashar Assad's attempt to transfer missiles to Hezbollah . Meanwhile, Turkey is asked to provide answers to the claims it provided Israel with intelligence behind the scenes for the alleged attack in Syria's Latakia earlier this week.

 

Turkish newspaper Hurriyet reported on Saturday that Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu was confronted with the allegations that Ankara transferred information to Jerusalem prior to the attack, which was attributed by foreign sources to Israel, including an official source within the American government.

 

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"There is an attempt to give the impression that Turkey has coordinated with Israel," said Davutoglu at a press conference with Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif, "we have issues with Syria, an issue based on a principle. But let me say it clearly: The Turkish government has never cooperated with Israel against any Muslim country, and it never will."

 

Davutoglu slammed the reports stating that Turkey gave Israel critical intelligence about the target in Latakia, describing them as "black propaganda".

 

Missiles allegedly attacked in Syria
Missiles allegedly attacked in Syria
 

"Those (reports) are attempts to cast a shadow on the Syrian people's rightful struggle and Turkey's attitude with principles. It is out of the question for us to participate in any common operation," he said. The Turkish minister stressed that his country would stand against such Israeli operation, but emphasized that the information on the strikes was not confirmed yet.

 

According to Hurriyet, during the press conference, Davutoglu insisted on Turkish-Iranian friendship and partnership. "We have deep and historic relations. Some circles may want to represent us as two rival neighbors. Some may desire it. But much on the contrary, Turkey and Iran are not rivals but friends," he said.

 

According to an Al-Arabiya report on Thursday, the target of the Latakia attack was anti-aircraft SA-8 missiles. Such missiles have already reached the hands of Hezbollah, which aims to further increase its arsenal.

 

Former Syrian intelligence agent Afaq Ahmad, a defector now in exile in France, said that contacts of his inside Syria, including in Latakia province, told him Russian-made ballistic missiles were also kept at the site that was attacked. A source which refused to be named estimated that the relatively contained damage on the ground implies a direct missile hit on the target.

 

 

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פרסום ראשון: 11.02.13, 12:48
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