Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak on Monday described the first joint military exercise between Turkey and Syria as a "worrying" development. "The military manoeuvres are a worrying development, but the strategic ties uniting Israel and Turkey will prevail," Barak said referring to the first of its kind drill that Turkey was to hold with Syria this week.
Turkey is one of Israel's rare allies in the Muslim world, with the two countries signing a military cooperation accord in 1996.
Turkey had hosted indirect peace talks between Israel and Syria last year, but the efforts were suspended following Israel's deadly offensive on Gaza in December-January.
Meanwhile, Syria's Minister of Defense, General Hassan Turkmani on Sunday started a 5-day visit to Istanbul to meet his Turkish counterpart Wajdi Ghonol and a number of military officials of the countries participating in the 9th International Defense Industries Exhibition (IDEF) due to begin Monday in Turkey.
Giant Turkish and foreign military industries' companies from 74 countries participate at the event, which is considered one of the most important defense industries' exhibitions in the world.
