Syrian journalist Ibrahim Hamidi, editor of the Saudi-owned magazine "Al-Majalla"…

Syrian journalist Ibrahim Hamidi, editor of the Saudi-owned magazine "Al-Majalla" and close to the regime in Damascus, reports that this week, prior to the attack on the Abu al-Duhur base in northern Syria, several phone calls took place between Mossad chief Román Gofman and Syrian Foreign Minister As'ad al-Shaybani, and not just one phone call, as was reported earlier. It is also reported that this is not the first such conversation between al-Shaybani and the organization, with former Mossad chief Dedi Barnea present at all rounds of direct conversations between Syria and Israel. Syrian and Western sources told the magazine that after Israeli information was received regarding Turkish and Syrian activities at the Abu al-Duhur air base, the US ambassador in Ankara and special envoy to Syria, Tom Burke, attempted to activate the friction prevention mechanism established between Israel, Turkey, and Syria, under American leadership. In fact, Syria was already aware of Israeli concerns regarding the base and conveyed messages through the Americans indicating that the base was not intended for use against Israel, as Syria has no aggressive intentions against neighboring countries. A Western source reported that in the past week a series of conversations took place between Gofman, Burke, and al-Shaybani, during which the Mossad chief inquired about the activities at the base, to which al-Shaybani responded that in reply, the Turkish "Bayraktar" drones and other types, meant to be deployed at the base, were intended for combating ISIS and other militias, and to secure the borders with Iraq and Lebanon and prevent smuggling of weapons through Syria. However, Gofman stated that Israel views the activities at the base as a Turkish threat against it, and that it will attack the runways, prevent aircraft from arriving, and block the utilization of the base there. Nevertheless, according to the report, Syria was surprised by the attack, which occurred while there was continuous dialogue with the Americans, including a meeting between al-Shaybani and Burke a day prior. According to the information, Netanyahu refused to respond to the Americans and resolve the issue through the "friction prevention" mechanism. A Syrian source stated that despite the close relationship with Ankara, Syria "wants to avoid becoming a battlefield between Turkey and Israel," but added that "every time we approached a security agreement mediated by the Americans, Israel rejects it. The Israeli excuse regarding the existence of a Turkish military base in Abu al-Duhur is ridiculous. The Turkish bases are located only 70 km inside Turkish territory. What is the strategic benefit of establishing a base inside Syria?" @OmerShahar123