Israel and Turkey are clashing over control and influence in Syria, complicating the challenges faced by Syria’s new government. Recently, Israel carried out airstrikes on key military sites in Syria, targeting the Hama military airport and the T4 base near Homs. According to Syria’s foreign ministry, the strikes heavily damaged the Hama base, resulting in casualties, including the death of four defense ministry employees.
These strikes aren’t just random attacks. They signify Israel’s broader concern about Turkey’s growing role in Syria, especially as Ankara seeks to solidify a defense agreement with the new Syrian government led by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Israel’s foreign minister has openly criticized Turkey’s involvement, warning that Syria would face dire consequences if it collaborates with “hostile forces.”
Tensions seem to be escalating as Turkey allegedly moves military assets into Syria. Some analysts suggest that Israel’s reaction might be a measured response to avoid a larger conflict, hinting at a change in military strategy to focus on threats perceived from Turkey rather than just the Syrian government.
Relations between Israel and Turkey have soured significantly since the Gaza war began in October 2023. Turkey has taken steps like imposing trade restrictions and criticizing Israel for its actions. Following the airstrikes, Turkey’s foreign ministry accused Israel of destabilizing the region, calling it the “greatest threat to security.”
Amid these tensions, al-Sharaa has expressed a desire to avoid confrontation with Israel, focusing instead on uniting Syria and stabilizing its relations with neighboring countries. He has indicated a potential openness to normalize relations with Israel but acknowledges that such discussions are premature.
However, Israel’s persistent military actions add complexity to this situation. Israel has been targeting Syrian military sites to prevent weapons from falling into enemy hands, especially those connected to Hezbollah in Lebanon. Reports indicate that since the new leadership took power, there have been no attacks launched against Israel from Syria, yet Israeli military incursions have accelerated.
Internally, many Syrians hoped that the fall of Bashar al-Assad would lead to more favorable relations with Israel. Instead, the ongoing bombings have left some citizens feeling disillusioned, fearing Israel has become an enemy of the Syrian people rather than just a foe of the Assad regime.
Syria’s fragile state is further exacerbated by the internal divisions that have been widened by outside interventions. The country is still dealing with the remnants of civil conflict, which have sparked violence among different groups, particularly in areas once loyal to Assad. The fear is that without stability, Syria could once again become a battleground for regional powers vying for influence in the area.
As tensions continue, some experts believe the international community must pay closer attention to the dynamics in Syria, as the ongoing conflict threatens to spill over into larger regional strife. Charles Lister, from the Middle East Institute, calls this an extraordinarily dangerous moment, noting that since the rise of the new government, significant military actions have primarily targeted sites linked to Iran and its proxies rather than Israel.
In conclusion, as Israel and Turkey navigate their interests in Syria, the future remains uncertain. The conflict still poses a risk not just for Syria but for the entire region, with potential for renewed hostilities and greater instability.
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