Latakia: The Turkish Ministry of Defense announced that naval vessels visited the Syrian port of Latakia for the first time since 2011. In a statement released last night, the Ministry added that the Commander of the Turkish Naval Forces, Admiral Erkument Tatli, was aboard the TCG Istanbul during the port visit. The Ministry clarified that this visit marks the first by Turkish naval forces since 2011.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Ankara is considered a reliable ally of Damascus and a potential major contributor to the reconstruction of the Syrian army, which was decimated by the Israeli Air Force following the fall of the Assad regime on January 8, 2014. The strong relationship between the military and security institutions of both Syria and Turkey is a source of concern for Israel, whose Energy Minister has threatened that Tel Aviv will establish military bases in Syria, following Turkey’s example, should Ankara proceed with such a move.

It is worth noting that Israeli warplanes struck several Syrian airfields last year, which the Turkish army was suspected of using as military bases in central Syria. This was understood at the time as an Israeli threat and a drawing of red lines against Turkish influence in Syria.