by Yonah Jeremy Bob
The Jerusalem Post understands that the IDF is on high alert for any new Turkish moves by sea, land, or air, including in areas near Greece, Cyprus, and Syria.
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The Israel Navy is acting to deter Turkish maritime aggression, and in response to the Turkish navy traveling to new points of interest in Israel, The Jerusalem Post has learned.
The Israel Navy, in essence, wants to send a message to Turkey: if it thinks it can move its navy freely, it will have to think again.
The Post understands that the IDF is on high alert for any Turkish moves, whether it’s by sea, land, or air; this includes areas near Greece and Cyprus, or, in the worst-case scenario, in Syria or Gaza.
The IDF recognizes that Turkey’s navy is powerful and cannot be ignored. Still, the largest danger Turkey faces is in Syria, given the IDF’s attack on a Syrian air base to prevent Turkey from installing a new radar or other assets that may compromise Israel’s freedom of action.
Israel has also staunchly opposed Turkey’s involvement with the International Stabilization Force (ISF), a peacekeeping entity for the Gaza Strip.
The Post understands that the IDF sees Turkey as having a deep commitment to the Syrian regime – a commitment rooted in religious doctrine. In contrast, Turkey’s commitment to Gaza is more general in nature and involves regional influence, not religion.
On July 26, the Post reported that, even as Turkey and Egypt are reconnecting in certain areas, senior Israeli defense sources sense opportunities for Israel and Cairo to work together to counterbalance Ankara’s naval interests.
Egypt, Israel may realize benefit of coordinating against Turkey
As both Israel and Egypt watched Iran tighten its grip over the Strait of Hormuz, the two may eventually agree on their shared interest in preventing Turkey from emerging as a rising power and posing a similar threat.
Until now, Israel and Egypt’s naval units have cooperated in international drills, but neither has been seriously challenged in the Mediterranean.
But that is only one narrative; there are at least two others.
Despite the optimistic narrative, Egyptian Defense Minister Ashraf Salem Zaher traveled to Ankara on July 13. This move, according to some pessimistic observers, represented a profound structural shift in the geopolitics of the eastern Mediterranean. The pessimistic narrative sees this as evidence that Egypt and Turkey are moving closer together – potentially against Israel.
This is linked to the third narrative: that, until now, Turkey and Egypt have wanted nothing to do with one another. This narrative, which was true until last year, had a historical basis. For over a decade, the conflicting ideologies between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi were permanently embedded into the regional landscape. The two seemingly had no path for reconciliation.
Sisi blamed Erdogan for supporting the Muslim Brotherhood, which took over Egypt from 2012-2013, and Erdogan blamed Sisi for ousting the Brotherhood from power.
But Turkey and Egypt have been gaining something new, particularly in recent months. Sisi is securing access to advanced military technology from Turkey without Western interference, while Erdogan has gained a partner to legitimize his maritime ambitions.
Moreover, the military cooperation between Cairo and Ankara has quickly evolved past superficial diplomacy into deep, structural integration. Their joint maneuvers over the past months showed what appeared to be an alarming level of operational alignment.
Turkey’s Anatolian Eagle aerial exercises integrated Egyptian pilots for training under simulated high-threat environments alongside Ankara’s assets. This was immediately followed by the Egyptian Golden Eagle special forces drills, which focused on command interoperability on multiple fronts.
According to some observers, these have not been routine bilateral military drills, but rather a process to synthesize the doctrines of two of the region’s most powerful militaries.
Cairo's concerns about Ankara may align with Israel's interests
Senior Israel Navy sources believe that, despite the two’s mended ties, Egypt’s concerns about Turkey gaining a maritime advantage work in Israel’s interests.
Sisi has strong sensitivities about ongoing issues relating to Libya and other areas in which Erdogan may have decidedly different interests.
The Post understands that, in these areas, Egypt could work together not just with Israel, but with Cyprus and Greece to counterbalance Turkey’s aggression.
In late June, Greece’s Navy Chief, Vice-Admiral Dimitrios-Eleftherios Kataras, visited Israel with Israel Navy Chief Vice-Admiral Eyal Harel. This meeting included the Shayetet 13 Navy SEALs, and the two sides deepened the joint mechanisms between their navies.
Some pessimists may view this alliance as a coalition of Israel, Cyprus, Greece, and a few European countries against Egypt and Turkey. However, regardless of the outcome between Egypt and Turkey, Israel still has its allies.
Yonah Jeremy Bob
Source: https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-907170
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